Year-round swimming is back on the table in Valdese

For the first time in several years, an inflatable dome covers the Valdese Recreation Department’s pool as temperatures drop and leaves turn, giving people a warm place to swim as fall weather sets in.

A bit more than leaves fell in the parking lot, though. The five trees that once stood in the parking lot’s median are now gone, having been cut down in a call made by town officials. The decision was not made without cause.

The trees were in poor health and dropped limbs dangerously close to vehicles over the summer, said Recreation Director David Andersen.

Andersen said there were several incidents. No injuries, but close calls.

“There was one that, a big limb came down next to one of our staff members’ cars and did a little bit of body damage to it,” Andersen said. “We’d seen little tiny branches here and there, but this was a big one.”

More trees will be planted in the median, but that may be a project for next fall. Andersen said staff is currently in talks to narrow down what type of trees to plant based on size, root depth, and a preference for native species.

“Those trees have been there for a long time, and we know there were a number of people that had some sentimental attachment to them, but we have power lines going through here and if those had come down … you run the risk of a power line potentially falling in the pool,” Andersen said.

Andersen said the pool will remain covered until mid-April 2027. Information about Valdese Recreation Department memberships and day passes is available here: www.townofvaldese.com/recreation-1/recreation-program-schedule.