07-03-2005, 07:43 PM
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Cheesesteak GURU! Wiz with
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Cedar Park
Posts: 13,474
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UC Swim Club Reopens after Repairs/Upgrades
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A pillar of the University City community recently re-opened after a major renovation that took 18 months. On Wednesday, June 8, the University City Swim Club celebrated its grand reopening, inviting visitors to tour the new facility, which was in use before Memorial Day. With the expansion, the Club can accommodate more members and is actively inviting new membership applications.
University City Swim Club Improvements Committee Chair John Woodin, who oversaw the Club's million-dollar revovation as a volunteer, cuts the ribbon at the Club's rededication while UCSC President Dennis Culhane leads the applause. And pictured right,returning member Jessica DeGroot, sitting with friend Cindy Metraux on the wide steps of the leisure pool.Photo: Nancy Drye
The Club now features four pools - a large leisure pool with water slide, a 25-yard lap pool, a diving well, and a wading pool for small children - as well as a basketball area, picnic area with grills, and locker facilities. There are indoor and outdoor showers and a family/handicapped changing room. Instead of traditional chlorination, the new pools have natural salt-pure water, which is easier on the skin, eyes, hair, and swimsuits.
Returning member Jessica DeGroot, sitting with friend Cindy Metraux on the wide steps of the leisure pool, described how important the club has been for their families. "We met when our children met at the baby pool ten years ago. They've grown up together here!" There's lots of sitting room, with awnings and umbrellas for the sun-shy. The pools have spacious steps and underwater benches for non-swimmers who want to sit and cool off. Swimming lessons are offered, and there's even talk of reviving the swim team.
Together the new pools offer roughly 50% more water area than the old pool, which had badly deteriorated. This increased capacity makes it possible for more families to cool off during a hot summer in the city and for lap swimmers to enjoy training outdoors. The handsome improvements were designed by University City architect and pool member Sarto Schickel and built by Stoneridge Aquatic Construction.
At the sun-drenched formal ribbon cutting, club President Dennis Culhane welcomed the crowd and celebrated the new facilities, "What a great day for the club! It's a thrill to look around and see generations of families who have grown up here and the faces of new members who will continue that tradition. The renovations took more than a year to complete, but we're glad that this place will endure for generations to come."
Culhane cited the many volunteers who made the project possible, especially Improvements Committee Chair John Woodin, who represented the club in all construction matters. Club volunteers helped with the finishing touches for the opening, such as fixing and arranging the deck chairs and umbrellas, and planting new flowers and trees. Culhane also thanked members for their patience in the course of the longer than anticipated reconstruction. Board member Paul Harvey described the 1964 establishment of the club and acknowledged the presence of several of the original founders on hand for these festivities: James L. D. Cox, M.D.; Joseph Moloznik, Esq.; Walter Livingston; and the grown children of other founders. Harvey displayed a new wall plaque listing those visionary founders and their colleagues. Club Treasurer Tomas Isakowitz thanked Citizens Bank for providing the loan for this project. President Culhane expressed the Club's appreciation to two University of Pennsylvania officials: Craig Carnaroli, the Executive Vice President, for Penn's role in bringing the club and the bank together; and Omar Blaik, Senior Vice President for Facilities and Real Estate, for expert advice during the complex construction job. State Representative Jim Roebuck, a member of the club, recounted how he often cites this diverse, neighborhood-based pool as an example of the spirit of his district. Refreshments were provided by local restaurant Abbraccio.
At the recent rededication of the newly renovated University City Swim Club 1964 founder Dr. James Cox (L)displays a new plaque while current board member Paul Harvey expresses the Club's gratitude to him and the other visionary founders of Club. The plaque was then installed along the main entrance to the pool. Photo: Nancy Drye
The original membership body has been expanded to 450 families over the last few years to support and enjoy these improvements. Memberships and rentals are still available; information is available from 215-729-7439, or from the front desk at the club. Seasonal rental memberships start at $620 for one person or $805 for two; additional children are only $55 for the summer. Memberships require a one-time bond payment. Anyone interested in a family-oriented swim club is invited to consider membership, with University City and West Philadelphia residents particularly welcome.
Located at 300 South Hanson Street, between 48th and 49th Streets, Spruce and Pine, the Club is open from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. daily. The season extends to the weekend past Labor Day. The private, not-for-profit club is run by a volunteer board elected by its members; daily operations are in the professional hands of Midlantic Pool Management.
Nancy Drye, is a current U C Swim Club board member.
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http://www.philly1.com/story11062905.html
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