Dormont 'pooling' their resources
Theo Giannoutsos vividly remembers the hot summer days he spent swimming and playing with his friends at the Dormont Pool when he was a young boy growing up in the borough.
"Using the pool was like a rite of passage," said Giannoutsos, 45, owner of Mexi-Casa restaurant in Dormont.
In an effort to raise money to help maintain the 87-year-old landmark, Giannoutsos will take part in the April 28 Dormont Pub Crawl organized by the Friends of the Dormont Pool.
Mexi-Casa and 10 other taverns and restaurants will participate in the five-hour walking and socializing tour, sponsored by Iron City Brewery.
Located along Dormont Avenue and Banksville Road, the 60,000-square-foot Dormont pool is in need of ongoing repairs. The Friends group has raised more than $30,000, while including grant money, nearly $300,000 has been raised.
The long-term goal of the effort is to raise more than $1 million, said Colleen Lehman, coordinator of the pub tour.
"Our goal is to raise the money needed for repairs, keep the pool maintained, upgrade the pool house and snack bar and eventually have movie night at the pool," Lehman said.
Lehman estimates that at least 275 people will participate in the pub tour, with the event raising more than $4,000.
Maps of the tour, given out at the beginning of the event, are stamped at each venue. When participants complete the route, they will turn in their maps for a drawing for prizes, including a Dormont Pool family pass and Pittsburgh Pirates tickets, Lehman said.
Several of the stops will feature entertainment. The Cranks will perform at Mexi-Casa and a singer playing guitar will entertain guests at Cain's restaurant.
Rea Cain, owner of Cain's, said the Dormont pool has been a staple in the community. "To drive down Banksville Road and not see the pool there ... it would be a shame," she said.
Giannoutsos said he is opening the doors of his restaurant for the pub tour because he doesn't want other generations to miss out on what he experienced as a child.
"For the kids growing up now in Dormont, I want to do my part to make sure they can enjoy the experience of spending their summers at the Dormont Pool," he said.
Additional Information:
If you go
What : Dormont Pub Crawl to raise money to help maintain the 87-year old Dormont pool. Eleven establishments will be participating.
When : 7 p.m. to midnight Saturday.
Where : Dormont's business district, between Potomac and West Liberty avenues
Admission : Participants must be at least 21 years old. Event T-shirts, priced at $15, serve as admission tickets to the participating taverns and pubs. The shirts will be sold at Albert's, Apple Inn, Breaker's, Cain's, Jamie's, Mexi-Casa, Sam's, Slap Shots, the Suburban Room, Vasta and the Dormont Veterans of Foreign Wars post.
Details : 412-302-7361.
For more information on The Friends of the Dormont Pool, visit www.savedormontpool.com
