Officials at the Pinetree Recreation Center are hoping their first fundraiser, the Pinetree Plunge, will make a big splash in the community this Saturday.
Jared Ray, the manager of Pinetree Rec Center, met with The Nugget last week to preview plans for that special event, as well to explain what’s been going on at the new facility during the winter offseason.
Ray also offered a sneak peek at Parks & Rec’s plans for this summer, including an “early bird” discount available to season pass purchasers for the next two months.
PINETREE PLUNGE
The Pinetree Plunge will take place this Saturday, March 8 from 10 a.m. to noon at 215 Pinetree Way in Dahlonega.
“Parks & Rec has a swim team that comes and practices here throughout the summer, and so this fundraiser is to help purchase equipment they may need and different things like that,” Ray said, noting that all funds will be earmarked specifically for the Pinetree Rec Center.
When asked if any of the money could potentially be used for some sort of “bubble” or winter enclosure for the outdoor swimming pool, Ray said it’s possible, but would only be “a drop in the bucket” for a project that large.
“It could be used for that, it just depends on how many people come out,” Ray said.
Admission to the Pinetree Plunge is five dollars, with additional donations gratefully accepted.
Ray said there will be commemorative T-shirts for sale and the concessions stand will be open.
There will also be games on the pool deck ahead of the plunge and possibly a couple short games in the water immediately after.
“We’ll have normal functions in the building that day, too, so the building will still be open for basketball and pickleball and stuff like that,” Ray added.
He said, if successful, the Pinetree Plunge could turn into an annual fundraiser.
Assistant County Manager Rebecca Mincey and County Commissioner Tucker Greene demonstrated their devotion to the cause last Friday, filming their own preview plunge for social media at 8 a.m., while the frigid waters of the pool were still shaded from the morning sun.
POOL PREVIEW
While any pool plunges this time of year will necessarily be of the polar variety, there are already signs that warmer weather is just around the corner.
The next pool season will begin on a schedule similar to the center’s inaugural year, with a Memorial Day weekend grand opening celebration set to take place on Saturday, May 24. However, just like last year, there will be a couple of ‘soft openings’ on prior Saturdays.
“It kind of gives our lifeguards a slow start, so they can get used to having people in the pool before it’s super-busy on Memorial Day weekend. And then it also helps just extend the season for the public to come and use it as well,” Ray said of the added swim days.
And, this year, Pinetree is offering a $20 discount on season passes purchased during the months of March and April.
Ray said lap swim times this summer will be from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Mondays through Saturdays. Open swim will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays, and from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m on Sundays.
When asked how staffing was going ahead of swim season, Ray said Pinetree is still in “recruitment mode.”
“We’re still looking for lifeguards, concession stand workers, ticket booth operators, stuff like that, but it’s looking really good for this year. Last year we started at the beginning of March, and that’s kind of when I came into the picture. We started two months earlier this year, and we’re already at around 20 lifeguards, versus zero this time last year,” he said.
Applicants can view and apply for the available Pinetree positions by visiting lumpkincounty.gov and clicking on the “Jobs” icon at the bottom of the page. Open interviews will also take place March 26 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on-site.
PICKLEBALL PLANS
Ray also updated The Nugget on Pinetree’s latest pickleball news.
“We were trying to host pickleball leagues, and start that. Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough sign-ups for it. So that might mean looking in the fall at having a pickleball league,” Ray said.
When asked how many sign-ups would be required, Ray estimated at least 40 individuals would be needed for “an enjoyable league.”
“You just need enough people so that everybody isn’t having to play themselves over and over again,” he said.
Ray admitted he was a little surprised that the popular sport didn’t generate the numbers for a local league right away, but said word of possible league play may not have circulated quite yet.
He also said Pinetree is taking into consideration some constructive public feedback on the proposed structure of the program.
As far as indoor gym attendance over the winter, Ray said it has been “great.”
“A lot of the college kids will come out and play, and we’ve had a lot of high schoolers on winter break that have been coming out and enjoying it as well,” he added, noting that there are indoor play opportunities for pickleball, basketball and even volleyball this winter.
“We’ve got a volleyball net that we set up upon request, but we don’t get a ton of people asking for that. I think that’s just another [activity] that people don’t really know about.”
Ray recommends checking out the “Pinetree Recreation Center” Facebook page for the full March open gym schedule. Patrons can also call 706-864-8080 for real-time updates on court availability.
Meanwhile, Pinetree’s outdoor pickleball courts are accessible daily from 8:00 a.m. to 10 p.m.
CPR CLASSES
Finally, Ray shared information on another offseason opportunity taking place this month.
“We’ve started hosting our CPR classes here. So that’s what’s with the mannequin here behind me,” Ray explained as he pointed to the artificial upper torso sitting behind his desk.
CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, allows oxygen flow to continue to the brain and other vital organs after cardiac arrest.
Pinetree’s CPR class is open to anyone in the community wishing to receive the potentially life-saving training, whether it’s for their own edification or to fulfill an employer’s requirement.
The first class took place in February, but another opportunity is coming up on Friday, March 21 at 5:30 p.m.
“The cost is $60, and that’s just the certification cost through American Red Cross,” Ray said.
He said the public can call to sign up for the training through March 14, a week prior to the class.
“There’s a little bit of online homework, so we like to get that out in advance. You have to do some online learning modules. It’s kind of like a blended course: you do a little it online, and then a little bit in class,” Ray explained.
He said the plan is for CPR training to be a regular seasonal offering at Pinetree, except during summer pool season.
“Once we get into April, and of course over the summer, all of our time is filled up with lifeguard classes. But we’ll have some more classes in the fall and again next winter,” Ray said.
While CPR training is a required component of Pinetree’s lifeguard classes, at least two regular staff members have received their certification as well.
“It’s a good practice to have, along with having an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) in the house,” Ray said.