In 1959 the Newport-Richardson Park area was much different than it is today. Maryland Avenue running west out of Wilmington was still mostly a residential area and the fields and woodland stretching west from Middleboro Road toward Newport, now making up Banning Park, was privately owned by Mr. James Latimer Banning. Conrad High School was the pride of the community and Interstate 95 as just a highway planner's dream.
During the region's exceptionally hot and steamy summers, at a time when air conditioning was just coming onto the scene, area residents had few options for cooling off. They could take a bus or drive the old family car into Wilmington for a swim in Canby Pool or continue across town to Prices Run Pool. They could risk trespassing onto the Banning property to take a dip in one of the two ponds located there. Taking a plunge in the turbulent tidal waters of the nearby Christina River was always a possibility, however, it was considered dangerous and only open to the exceptionally brave of heart.
Robert (Bob) Burkhard, residing at the time with his family at 400 Mansion Road in Elmhurst, thought of a more acceptable possibility - a community pool, owned and operated by the families in the nearby suburban developments. Mr. Burkhard was working for a Textile Fibers division of the DuPont Company when he read an article in an employee's magazine that described the founding and construction of the High Point Swim Club located in north Wilmington on Foulk Road.
"It was during the late summer or early fall of 1959 when the article appeared," Mr. Burkhard recalled. "It was a very interesting, essentially a blueprint for anyone wishing to develop a community pool. I felt that we could do it here, in the Elmhurst, Richardson Park, Woodcrest and Bellmoor area. And that's how it all began."
Mr. Burkhard broached the idea to family, friends and friends and neighbors and was encouraged by the positive response. He set up a meeting at his home and invited anyone who was interested to come. At the meeting he distributed copies of the magazine article and asked attendees to canvas their friends and neighbors for additional support.
The idea was met with enthusiasm and the project was underway. Another meeting at Burkhard's home was arranged, committees were formed and responsibilities were doled out. The name Crestmoor - a shortened blend of Woodcrest and Bellemoor - was conceived, voted upon, and accepted. Runners up included Elmcrest Swim Club, Moorcrest and Bellcrest. Mr. Aubrey Lank, a local attorney whose family home was on Reamer Ave., agreed to act as legal counsel for the project. Articles of Incorporation were filed and the Crestmoor Swim Club became a legal entity. The Club bylaws were formulated and approved.
By January of 1960 the newly formed Crestmoor Swim Club had already achieved considerable results. Final settlement had been made on the purchase of 3.4 acres of land from General Motors Corporation at a cost of $3,000 per acre. The deed had been recorded in the Club name. A contract had been signed with Viking-Paddock Pools, Inc. of Bridgeport, PA, for the construction of the pool, and land-clearing work was already in progress. Pool construction itself would not begin until February and, as weather permitted, was scheduled to continue through the winter.
In addition, James J. Kaut, a teacher at nearby Krebs School, was hired as the first pool manager in preparation of the 1960, opening season. The Wilmington Trust Company authorized a $20,000 loan to Crestmoor, and with 140 families already signed on, membership efforts were paying off.
The election of the first permanent Board of Directors took place on March 29, 1960, at the Richardson Park School.
The newly elected officers included:
- Robert Burkhard
- Elizabeth Dwyer
- Johnson Bair, Jr.
- Randolph McCarthy
- Stanley Jezyk
- Carl Simpson
- Paul Gamsby
- Martin Londergan
- Charles Krumreich
Bob Burkhard, whose idea had been the inspiration for the pool, was elected the Club's first president.
|
Club rules covering a variety of issues were established and approved. Daily pool hours were 11am to 9pm. Guests and visitor requirements were set down. The authority of the staff was defined and explained, and an array of health and safety concerns was also addressed. Many of the rules were the result of state regulations, for example, one rule required all guests and visitors to take a "soap shower" before putting on a swimsuit. Another required "all women and girls" to wear bathing caps in the pool. Smoking was prohibited on the "pool apron" and, of course, "skin diving" was not allowed.
Through the winter and spring of 1960, a hardy core of volunteers stepped froward to help with the task of clearing the land and building the bathhouses, decking, fencing and the parking lot. Local contractor, Joe McGrath was responsible for leading the effort in much of the construction work, while Al Green, a roofing contractor, took responsibility for the roof. Numerous other good-hearted volunteers joined the effort, helping wherever they could.
According to a July 7, 1960 report from President Burkhard, voluntary labor and supervision were credited with saving approximately $5,000 in additional costs - a hefty sum, especially by yesterday's standards. Throughout the establishment of Crestmoor and continuing on to today, the spirit of volunteerism has been the most important factor in the Club's ongoing success.
As construction continued and the pool took shape, neighbors and other area residents began to see visible proof of Crestmoor's viability. In short, they became believers and confidence rose. In those initial days, however, things were somewhat risky. As Bob Burkhard recounts, "A number of us were personally liable for the loan. It was a little scary. But after construction began and people saw that Crestmoor was really going to happen, membership increased and our cash flow became solid."
Indeed the efforts of the Membership Committee were proving more and more successful. By June of 1960, 163 families had joined. The Club was advertising on local AM radio stations WTUX, WILM, and WAMS. In addition, the Committee had distributed hundreds of flyers in the surrounding area. Bob Burkhard's dream of a community pool was indeed coming to fruition.
The original cost of a one-time membership certificate was set at $250 and it remains there to this day. However, the annual dues in 1960 were considerably lower than the current rate. At the time, they were $10 per person for the first five people in the family, and $2 for each additional family member. Children under 4 years of age were free.
To the best recollection of many original members, the much-anticipated opening day occurred in mid-July of 1960, and it was a bright, glorious day. The board members were all present and when the gate finally opened, an enthusiastic crowd entered for the first time. Everyone was delighted with what they had found.
Swim Team
The Crestmoor Swim Team was formed just a few years after the pool opened and went on to take part in competitions throughout New Castle County. The team joined the Suburban Swim League in 1975 and remains a member today. The success of the team, as well as its longevity, is once again due to Crestmoor's tradition of volunteerism. Through the years, many fine men and women have stepped forward to coach and help manage the team. Their efforts not only produced a great deal of success but also a memorable part of Crestmoor's history. |
