NORTHLAND SWIM CLUB
HISTORY
On a hot weekend in June, 1964, many families in the Woodward Park, Kar-Mel
Village and Northland Village' were experiencing the same
frustration - trouble finding a
place to establish a beachhead at Sequoia Swim Club located in Forest Park. It was this way every weekend; weekdays were
almost as bad. During
the fall and winter some members of the Woodward Park Civic Association decided to see if there was
enough neighborhood interest to try to build a community pool. The interest was
overwhelming and the project was launched.
Meetings were held with neighbors and
it was unanimous that we try to buiId a swimming
pool. The following people were named to the Board of Directors.
Henry Ballein Dave Lippy Howard Roby
Bob Corbett Curt
Mayer Ed Rosendal
John Garvin Byran Nisenwender Jim Tressenrider
James Hall Harry
Paulino
Marvin Wade
Charles Hall Bob
Preston Charles Zimmerman
Jim Lehman Bob
Proctor
The Articles of Incorporation were filed on January 25, 1965, thus forming the
Northland Swim Club, Inc.
The Woodward Park Civic Association loaned $100.00 to this organization
so that they could get started.
January, 1965, the first formal step was taken in the establishment of
our own community owned and operated swim club.
The NORTHLAND SWIM CLUB INC. was officially incorporated, a slate of temporary
officers was appointed, and committees are hard at work many things necessary to
insure years of fun and enjoyment.
WHY A COMMUNITY SWIM
CLUB
The people want it. A community
owned and operated pool is under the full control of the people in the community.
It will be close to everyone so that there is no need for children to cross busy streets,
they can walk or ride their bicycles in complete safety. A community pool is run only for the benefit
of the members themselves - no need to
determine policy matters strictly on the basis of profit as is the case with most commercial pools. The number of members can be limited by
desire and physical facilities -not
set as high as possible to make money for the owners.
Then there is always the economic factor. Few are financially able to build a pool in our
back yards; we simple do not have the money.
Yet, most of us would like to have a pool to enjoy. What we cannot do separately we can do
together by combining our assets, our skill, and our labor.
ORGANIZATION
The community swim club will be constructed and operated
by the NORTHLAND SWIM CLUB, INC., a
non-profit community organization incorporated under the laws of the State of Ohio. It will be
under the complete control of, and operated for the benefit of the members of the corporation, and governed by a slate of officers and a board of
directors.
MEMBERSHIP
THE NORTHLAND SWIM CLUB IS A PRIVATE CLUB. Membership is open to all residents of Karmel Village, Northland Village,
and Woodward Park. This
area was expanded to include the area south of Morse Road to Cooke Road on the
South and Karl Road and 1-71 on both the east and west.
Initially, membership will be limited to 700 families. The pool,
however, will be constructed for a capacity membership of 900 families.
The additional 200 members are being set a side to accommodate the
future homes now under construction or
yet to be built in Woodward Park.
Persons from outside the area not having a membership may use the pool facilities only when
accompanied by a member, and under guest conditions.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES
Site - The swim club will be located on approximately 3
1/2 acres of land on the north side
of Urban Drive, directly west of St.
Anthony's school. Entrance will be
from Almont Drive into a parking lot
holding about 125 cars.
Pool - The pool itself will be
between 9,200 and 9,500 square feet
in size. (Approximately
the same size as the pool in Forest Park.) Tentative
plans call for a Z shaped pool, with the diving area in one leg of the Z, and the training area
in the other leg. This leaves the main
stem open for general use. There will be a separate wading pool
for the "small fry".
Additional Faci1ities - Next to the pool is a combination
bath/club house, so designed that it can be later expanded to accommodate
meeting rooms and additional functions.
In addition,
facilities
will be
provided for basketball, shuffleboard,
horseshoe courts and ice skating. The
aim is to provide a general
recreation area that will serve all
members, including playground and picnic areas.
COST
A facility of the size and type envisioned will cost
approximately $132,000, including
the land.
ESTIMATED DATES OF CONSTRUCTION
It is anticipated that bids for the construction of the facility will be let
around March 1, 1965, with construction beginning shortly after. The facility
should then be completed and ready for the Grand Opening on June
1, 1965.
The first general meeting was held on February 15, 1965. The board of directors (15) was elected. The first board included the above
mentioned members, with the exception of Henry Ballein and
Jim Lehman. The following officers were elected:
Harry Paulino, President; Bob Proctor, Vice
President; James Hall, Secretary; Bob Corbett, Treasurer; Marvin Wade, Asst. Tres.
Ground breaking ceremonies were held on Saturday, April 3. The Mayor of Columbus, Maynard Sensenbrenner
broke ground for the Northland Swim Club. The proposed opening date was June 1, but was not opened until July 8,
1965.
The first manager was Curt Jenkins, he was
replaced by Andy Regrut on March 23, 1966. Andy has been the manager every since. Many people devoted a lot of time to
organizing and building of the Northland Swim Club, but rigid rules and regulations that has made Northland into the best
family pool in the area was due to the management of Andrew Regrut. Over the
years, Northland has been the best cared for pool in the City of Columbus and he has to be given most of the credit for the efficient day to day operation of The Northland
Swim Club.
Other important dates:
- Code of regulations adopted August
19, 1965, revised February 1, 1972.
- Granted non-profit status under IRS
Code, Section 501 (c)i(7) on January
31, 1966. Swim
Team Booster organized, 1968.
- Heater
installed, 1969
- Membership Bonds converted to Certificate of Membership, 1975.
From 1965 thru 1990, there has been sixty-two
(62) individuals who have served on the board of directors. Many hours were spent conducting business and
answering complaints of members. The
Directors have received no compensation for their time.
These people have served Northland faithfully over the years. The following list are
names of people
who have
served ten (10) years or more.