Our fees are updating July 1st! Please see the fees page for more info:
Back in the 1950s Rex and Ethel Clemens were a rags to riches timber family. They noticed an increase in drownings in the lumber ponds around the area. In order for the children of our area to learn to swim, they donated the funds to build five local pools. These pools were located in Brownsville, Eddyville, Jefferson, Scio, and Philomath.
The Philomath Pool opened as a gift to the community on December 26, 1960. We are the last remaining pool of the original five they funded. In the early 2000s, our name was changed to Clemens Community Pool, from Philomath Pool, to reflect our heritage.
The Clemens funded and donated at Philomath High School, including: 30 acres holding the sports field and middle school, the high school gym, swimming pool, all-weather track, football field, baseball and football field lights, forestry building, and high school tennis courts.
We thank them for their generous support of our communities.
Along with our generous founders and original donators, CCP received a large funding donation from the estate of Kitty Nitka, a long-time pool patron.
The original pool managers were Eugene and Henrieta Hermansen. They worked together for over twenty years. Since the Hermansens, the pool has seen a number of directors over the years.
The pool was built before diving regulations were in place and the diving blocks were originally in the shallow end. There also used to be two diving boards for the PHS diving team.
In the 1970's staff started and upheld a tradition for a number of years to sign their names on a wall in the basement of the pool.
In the 1990's the high school saved the pool from having to close down by holding a talent show fundraiser to cover renovations to keep the pool from being completely torn down.
This pool is based on family values and traditions that have been passed on for about 65 years.
If you want to see a little bit of our history as it stands still today, on your next trip in, look up! You can see hand prints and footprints from the original 1960 construction workers that stained and installed our wooden ceiling. Legend says they wanted to be a part of the history of the Clemens Community Pool.
The Clemens Community Pool, operated by Philomath School District 17J, promotes quality aquatic education through school-based and public swim lessons. The pool serves the district and community by providing access for recreation, competition, fitness, special aquatic training, and other services related to aquatic education, safety, and fitness. The partnership between the pool and the community provides revenue to ensure the continuation of school and community educational programs and general community access.