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The swimming pools at Lincoln Park and at Franklin Park were built in the mid 1950’s. The land in the parks was leased from the city, but no city money was used for construction or maintaining the pools and their programs. The cost of building the pools was provided by Mr. Weeden and Mr. Stolte of Stolte Inc. The city has been the beneficiary of the volunteer, non-profit organization managing the pools since the original construction of the pools.
The Alameda Swimming Pool Association (ASPA), a non-profit corporation, was formed to oversee the operation and maintenance of the two pool sites and their programs. There are six Trustees at the present time and 22 board members (Franklin Pool and Lincoln Pool Board Members) as well as other sub-committees. The board members are strictly interested volunteers, they do not recieve payment for their time. The founding concept of the boards was to provide continuity and stability over time as well as experience and knowledge in the organization where the members, instructors, etc. are volunteers whose periods of interest and service usually coincides with the age and interest of their children. Each pool has its own board of directors to monitor and handle the day-to-day operation of the pool.
They Association carries full primary insurance and workmen’s compensation and does not rely on the USA Swimming or the City of Alameda as insurance providers.
The Alameda Swimming Pool Association provides some of its programs free of cost just for benefit of the surrounding community. The Kindergarten Swim Program is provided for approximately six weeks in the fall, at the opening of the regular school program, and for six weeks in the spring during the latter part of April and May. The purpose of the program is to get the children water safe. There is no charge for this program and it is open to all kindergarten age children. A parent is expected to bring the child and go into the pool to help. Essentially, we teach the parents how to teach the child. Lessons for the ten and under age group (members only) are provided during the same six weeks in the spring and fall. Usually the time is scheduled immediately after the school dismissal. Senior swim is a guarded "free of charge" program provided at least twice a week. Time is also provided to the Alameda Fire Dept. for water safety training for its employees, as well as Franklin Pool being home to Alameda Emergency Radio.
During Summer season, the ASPA provides a variety of swim programs for its members, such as Pre-School swim, Reds-Greens-Blue Fish Novice Swim and Novice Swim (for the more advanced), Family Swim (Guarded General Membership Time) and Key holders (lap swimming). For swimmers interested in competitive swimming, the ASPA sponsors the Ala-Gator Swim Team. This team has its own board of directors separate from the ASPA board.
The overall primary aim of the ASPA is to provide safe, instructional activity for children. Children come first. A secondary aim is to provide opportunity for all families to have access to water activities. The third aim is to provide time for swimming/health enthusiasts to be able to participate in lap swimming for any of a variety of personal reasons.
The structure of the ASPA, as originally conceived by Mr. Weeden, Mr. Stolte and their associates, has worked successfully for years. It has provided a long-term stability that has enabled the pools and membership to stay on course in serving the children of Alameda, in spite of upheavals and changes in world, national, and local politics, changes in the economy and energy crisis. There are currently 600 swimming families belonging to the ASPA. The Association has been cognizant of changing needs and has made adjustments while maintaining the primary goal of children first.
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