The Kiwanis Auction, now in its 60th year, is rich in tradition and history in the town of Saint Johnsbury. Many generations of Northeast Kingdom residents have escaped the summer heat with the help of the local Kiwanis club.

Last year the auction raised roughly 40,000 dollars, however the cost to maintain the treasured keepsake is 50,000 dollars and this excludes repairs and updates on the now 66-year old pool.

Kiwanis Club President Dexter Wilson explains, "that the auction is the main thrust that we have to earn money to pay the bills for the Kiwanis pool which has been in operation since 1944."

The pool opened on July 23, 1944, but before the existence of the summer hot spot there were many drowning in nearby rivers.

Dexter Wilson said, "There had been a few drowning and especially in the Passumpsic River and some of the other rivers around. Since then there's been no recorded deaths of drowning in the surrounding rivers and I think for the last 60 years we accomplished what we set out to do."

That's over 60 years of life saving monies being put to good use, but even more unique, is the Kiwanis pool is home to one of the oldest public pools in Vermont and the price is right.

Denise Stuart, who is Co-Chair to the Pool Committee said, "we're the only pool in the US that gives free swimming lessons and free swimming to anybody who comes to the door of the pool can come in free."

Last year the pool filled all of it's 650 swimming lessons spots and had about 6,000 swimmers, despite last years rainy summer.

This year the club hopes the auction will raise enough money to fix a leaking roof and within the next ten years the club wants to replace the original filter system.