For almost 50 years, the slogan of Whitehall Country Club was "the best-kept secret in the South Hills" because of its secluded location on a wooded hillside above Provost Road, out of view of motorists.

While the tree-lined, private site is one of the assets of what is now called The Pool, new owners Chuck and Patty Hosler are hoping upcoming events in honor of the facility's 50th anniversary will provide the elusive exposure.

"We know once people stop in they'll want to come back," said Mrs. Hosler of the family-run, four-acre recreation center, which includes a swimming pool, children's pool, tennis courts, volleyball court and horseshoe pit.

Membership currently stands at 75 families.

The first anniversary event will be a Bluegrass Festival from 7 to 9 p.m. on June 28. The cost is $2 to listen to live bluegrass music and swim. The next event will be a party on the Fourth of July, which is still in the planning stages.

The original pools and site layout remain.

William Rhoades, 86, a founding member, recalled his boss at Westinghouse Bettis in the 1950s, Bob Devine, asking him to design the site.

"We didn't have a swimming pool in Whitehall at the time. We swam in South Park," he said.

An engineer by profession, Mr. Rhoades drew a series of pool sketches, one of which was selected for implementation by the other founding members.

The 57 steps from the parking lot to the pool area was Mr. Rhoades' idea in recognition of Heinz 57 Varieties -- and hometown pride.

The 33 steps from the pool to the tennis courts was for the "33" on bottles of Rolling Rock, which was once brewed at Latrobe Brewing Co., in Westmoreland County.

Whitehall resident Beverly Fassinger, a 47-year member, joined the club when her family moved to the borough.

"I fell in love with it from the start. It has everything but palm trees," she said of the atmosphere and friendly clientele.

The family of Jim Dougherty, of North Huntingdon, was one of the nonprofit club's original 300 families, with waiting lists for years afterward.

But over the past decade, said the former president of its board of directors, membership declined as families discovered other options for summer fun.

By the time the sale was agreed upon, membership was down to 50 families, Mr. Dougherty said.

Mr. Hosler, 44, the club's former manager, plans to construct a $750,000 family fitness facility on the site for private rental once funding can be secured.

The 12,000-square-foot, one-story building also will be the new location of the Rising Sun Martial Arts Center, which Mr. Hosler operates at 5121 Clairton Blvd.

"It allows the pool to stay open and completes my business plan. I don't think a pool can survive, but a combination can really work," Mr. Hosler said.

Separate memberships would be required. For now, the Bethel Park couple, with the help of sons Ben, 18, and Ty, 10, are content operating the pool and its offshoots: After-hours private parties, free movie nights, Swim Fit Club, summer celebrations of winter holidays and more.

Swimmers may use the club's refrigerators and microwaves, bring coolers with food to cook on the club's grills or order delivery from a favorite restaurant. Tables with beach umbrellas complete the vacation-like ambience.

"We want to bring family time back," Mrs. Hosler said.

Seasonal memberships are available from $300 for one to $500 for a family of four. There also are monthly, punch card and daily rates. Borough residency is not required. All first visits are free. For more, call 412-881-9804.