For some residents of the neighborhood and the surrounding area it seems like a first necessity of life. During the first dawn they stand in front of the gates of the local outdoor swimming pool. Eventually the first jobs can be pulled at 6.30 am.
“Yes, the bath is well full,” Mart Westerbeek from the De Slenken swimming pool is satisfied. So early in the day he mainly sees familiar faces, belonging to the group of swimmers who present themselves every morning. On these hot days, the company is supplemented with visitors who especially cool.
“The bath is widely worn in the village,” emphasizes volunteer Femmie. She has been involved in the ins and outs within the Slenken for about six years. “With about a hundred people we keep the swimming pool running. Fortunately, it still works, because it can be difficult.”
Although the bathers come to swim, the volunteers are puzzling a lot. After all, the schedules must be filled in. “It has not become easier with the personnel occupation,” Westerbeek agrees. “We have taken a jacket off. We have to roll up our sleeves to keep the bath open. But the involvement of our volunteers does a lot.”
This weekend there is especially an eye for the milestone that the Slenken has reached. The swimming pool has just finished the 50th birthday and that is being celebrated. The anniversary was actually already reached last weekend, but the rainfall fell into the water due to the rainfall.
The anniversary is still celebrated with a disco evening. “The enthusiasm is great, we hope for a big party,” said Westerbeek.