St. Charles Park District celebrates refurbished Swanson Pool
A dime might have little value in today’s economy but on Saturday it’ll pay your way into Swanson Pool.
From noon to 4 p.m. Swanson Pool at Pottawatomie Park returns to yesteryear. Visitors will be charged 10 cents to swim at the newly renovated pool in honor of the 100-year anniversary of the St. Charles Park District.
Carol Swanson Glemza, an administrative assistant for the park district, had the honor of being the first person to swim at the pool when it opened in 1938.
“I was just the first person in line,” Glemza, 87, pointed out.
To honor the 73-year history of the pool, Glemza, will kick off “Dime Day” and again be the first person to take a dip.
“Oh, (the pool) was very popular (when it opened). There weren’t many pools in those days,” Glemza continued. “It was one of the largest pools in the whole state so people came from all around ... it was a very busy place.”
After 70 summers of pool activity, it was decided in 2007 it needed restoring and remodeling since it was built to accommodate 7,000 residents but is now attracting nearly 46,000 people to its doors. The restoration was completed this summer.
“The pool served the people so well throughout the years and now it’s been renovated and it’s a wonderful facility for the community,” Glemza said.
In 2009 the pool was renamed from Pottawatomie Pool to Swanson Pool after Glemza — who has worked at the park district since 1942 — and her father, Algert Swanson. Her father helped secure one of the largest grants for the park district during the Great Depression, helping create Pottawatomie Park.
“I was very honored, very happy that they did that,” Glemza said of naming the pool Swanson. “I have spent many years of my youth at that pool.”
Glemza said the people she works with is one of the reasons she has worked for 69 years. It also has to do with what park facilities provide for the residents.
“Parks and recreation are here for people to enjoy them,” Glemza said. “It has given me pleasure to watch people enjoy the parks and facilities like the pool.”