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New members welcome at Logan Swim & Tennis Club
By LINDA M. LINONIS
LIBERTY
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Kristen Fawcett
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Andrew Garr, 9, of Boardman uses a fl otation board as he enjoys the pool at Logan Swim & Tennis Club in Liberty. The club is promoting a membership drive in July for the facility that offers a swimming pool with two one-meter diving boards, competitive starting blocks and shallow and deep ends. There also are tennis and basketball courts.
Exercise and entertainment. That’s what’s behind the fence at Logan Swim & Tennis Club.
The bonus is a family-focused and safe atmosphere, positive social interaction among adults and children, Golden Dawn Concessions with good food, a place to learn to swim, practice your serve or hook shot and have good, old-fashioned fun.
Kristen Fawcett, president of the nine-member board of the nonprofit corporation that is member-owned and operated, wants to spread the word about what the club has to offer. “We’re a close-knit, family-friendly environment,” she said. “We have a lot of social activities and many activities for kids.”
That includes events such as Pasta on the Patio set Thursday evening for members. Eric DelColle, a trustee who focuses on marketing, said the event provides a chance for members to meet and mingle. Other activities include raft night in the pool, “Guitar Hero” competition, cornhole, limbo contests and swimming lessons for children set to start Monday.
Fawcett said the membership is working to correct misconceptions. “People say they’ve driven by hundreds of times,” she said, noting they haven’t stopped in. When people see the club’s facilities, Fawcett said, they’re impressed. Incorrect information about the club is that it’s expensive and exclusive, she said.
The swim and tennis club on six acres is promoting a membership drive during July. The club has 110 members who account for 350 to 400 adults and children, Fawcett said. The club has a capacity of 300 members.
“We have a special promotion during July. If you buy a membership, you get a $50 gift certificate for the Eastwood Mall,” Fawcett said. A kiosk at the mall with information about the club is another of the trustees’ efforts at marketing. Fawcett said the Cafaro family, Liberty residents, have been supporters.
Fawcett and Eric DelColle, a trustee who focuses on marketing, said a more robust membership roll would benefit the club in various ways. “We have 45 new families so far this year,” she said.
Membership fees would boost the treasury. “We have fixed costs that are very fixed,” said Fawcett about heating and maintaining the pool, general maintenance and utility costs and insurance. Fawcett said bartering for various services led to a reduction in operating costs. Fundraisers also benefit the bank account.
The club depends on members’ volunteerism. Some members sit at the front desk, where they monitor the sign-in sheet. Other members put in time sprucing up the fence with contributed paint, while others donated money to underwrite billboard advertising of the club.
Shawn Chrystal, coach of the Ducks swim team, is a volunteer and three-year member. “There is something here for the whole family,” she said. Chrystal said she got involved because her son, Keighan Griffith, 9, wanted to swim. She’s been rewarded repeatedly for her effort. “I love to work with the kids. The people here are great. You just can’t beat it,” she said.
As for her coaching, she said the swim-team members and their families are one big, extended family. “Everyone cheers for one another and helps out ... we have disabled and autistic children involved.”
Chrystal said the 12-member team, which belongs to the Youngstown Swim League, includes 4- to 18-year-olds who compete in breast- and backstroke, butterfly and free style.
Sarah Wahed, trustee whose responsibility is the swim team, said the club helps children learn new skills and make new friends. She said the club is a wholesome environment for children including her 11-year-old daughter.
Fawcett and her husband have three young sons. “They’ve never slept so well,” Fawcett said after a day of activities at the club. DelColle said his four children, including two teens, frequent the club.
Logan Swim & Tennis Club, 3245 Logan Way, Liberty, is an Ohio nonprofit corporation. Its facilities include a heated swimming pool and tennis and basketball courts. Members have key access to the lighted tennis courts. Activities also include volleyball and tetherball.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Membership fees: Family membership is $300 for all people in household or grandparents and three grandchildren ($25 for each additional grandchild); single, $200; and student, $150 for one child older than 11.
Board of trustees: Kristen Fawcett, president; Rocco Criazzo, vice president, personnel; John Naples, vice president, pool and grounds; Carol Reapsummer, secretary; Frank Gagliano, treasurer; Jane Bertolasio, social; Eric DelColle, marketing; Yvette Wasko, membership; and Sarah Wahed, swim team. Tennis team is open.
Pavilion: The covered pavilion is available for rental to members and nonmembers. Rental also gives access to the pool, tennis and basketball courts. Call the club for details.
Information: Call Fawcett at 330-759-0492, the club at 330-759-1060 or visit the website at loganswimandtennis.com. Search for the club on Facebook, where photos and videos of club activities are posted.