Fort McPherson (July 24/06) - Swimming in a pool can be fun - but it's very different when you have 34 people crowding around you.

This is the situation in Fort McPherson, where the Abraham and Ada Stewart swimming pool has been proving too popular.

Pool supervisor Eileen Kabernoff stands guard over the Abraham and Ada Stewart pool in Fort McPherson. - Philippe Morin/NNSL photo

Since it opened July 15, the pool has been filled with swimmers, often exceeding its limit of 35 people at once.

"It happens almost every day. There will be a lineup waiting," says Jackie Pascal, an employee of the hamlet.

She says the pool has been asking swimmers to leave after one hour, to make room for others.

While the pool has public swimming six days a week, it is still not meeting demand.

Eileen Kabernoff, pool supervisor, says the facility staff will move forward with a plan to offer a midnight swim, which will allow youth 16 and under more time in the water.

Though she thinks the midnight swim is a great idea, Pascal says time is nearing for the community to get a bigger pool.

"It's a big project, but it would be nice in future years," she says.

In the meantime, she says, there will often be a line of kids wearing swimsuits waiting for a turn.