The Charles A. Melton Arts and Education Center is attempting to raise $250,000 to repair and renovate West Chester’s only outdoor pool that has been out of commission for 15 years, writes Candice Monhollan for Daily Local News.

“The pool is not just for the east end like it used to be,” said former member of the Borough Council, Cassandra Jones. “It’s for West Chester at large because we don’t have any open public pools. Now is the right time to do it and there are people who want to help this campaign moving forward.”

Sad to see an empty community pool-Melton Center in WC. They’re trying to raise funds to repair. #poolTogether pic.twitter.com/cyReAlKEph

— Pete Bannan (@PeteBannan) July 11, 2016

The Pool Together Campaign Committee is using a social media campaign to raise awareness of the campaign with #PoolTogether, Facebook and Instagram.

People can donate in a number of ways such as on the Generosity crowdsourcing page, by writing a check, or contributing at campaign stands during various events around the borough.

The community is also lending a helping hand with groups such as the West Chester Rustin and West Chester Henderson high school swim and dive teams, and young people from Chester County Juvenile Probation raising funds through car washes, phonathons, and bucket brigades.

In return for donations, the campaign is offering promotional rewards including shirts, swimming caps, pool memberships, as well as private pool parties depending on the donated amount.

The goal is to raise the funds by May next year, so the pool is ready for next summer.

Read more about the fundraising efforts at Daily Local News here, and check out previous VISTA Today coverage of the Melton Center here.