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After lengthy wait, ground is broken at Fremont pool
High School facility could open as early as March of next year
By Gretchen Knaup
Thanks in large part to Friends of the Fremont Pool, Fremont High School may have a state of the art aquatic facility as soon as March 2002.
After months of fundraising, organizing and designing, the first phase of construction has begun, with only a few more dollars to raise. Thus far, the organization has raised $735,000.
The actual construction process started on May 15, and will be followed by the official groundbreaking ceremony June 12, at 11 a.m. The first phase is the demolition of the old pool, and will be followed by the construction of the new pool, deck and equipment room. Phase two will be the building of the public showers. The shower room is planned to accommodate more people than the current facility.
There will also be a classroom on site for employee training. "This is a great advantage for the programs, so they can run smoother and be stronger," said Holly Lofgren, founder of Friends of the Fremont Pool.
The project is expected to take approximately nine months.
Lofgren said she began her quest seven years ago, when she started to speak with the Sunnyvale Parks and Recreation department about the city's aquatic facilities because she noticed certain groups weren't being included.
"When I would go to pools I would see many programs for babies, and then for older adults, but there was nothing for the child that was third grade and up," Lofgren said. "I wanted to provide programming for the older child in a wider variety of diving, water polo and swim lessons."
Lofgren said she has personal ties to the project that go back many years. While growing up in New York, she said she didn't learn to swim until she was 32. She added there was no recreation department in the city where she grew up. "I think my appreciation is greater for the programs and facilities," Lofgren added.
She said that since she learned how to swim, she has gotten very involved with aquatic activities. She recently volunteered to be a timer at the Short Course Championship for ages 19 and over. Lofgren said there were swimmers competing who were well into their 70s. "You can swim your whole lifetime," she added. "There is a lack of physicality and no intimidation. It is a very positive atmosphere."
The current Fremont High School pool is 63 years old and in severely dilapidated. Lofgren said not only will the high school benefit from the new facility, but it also will facilitate the public as well, with half of the pool roped off for the city's use. "It's a great cost reduction for the city," she said.
Sharing the pool between the city and the high school will enable five or six groups to use it at once. The city and the school have already made agreements on how the space will be divided throughout the year. According to the agreement, during the summer the city will get use of the entire pool.
Friends of the Fremont Pool is made up of 16 volunteer committee members who have been working towards this groundbreaking goal for 18 months through extensive fundraising. They obtained approvals last June to build on the Fremont site. The $735,000 raised has predominately come from the state, family foundations, real estate developers and individuals.
"I think the main reasons people give money are on the basis of the values on the project, because of the concept, or because they have a connection with the school," Lofgren said. "I think people like that it's a capitals and operating fund. Its something they can see and use."
One Sunnyvale resident, Dale O'Rorque, donated $50,000 to the project. "In campaigns like this, individuals make the biggest difference," Lofgren said.
As an incentive to donate, when a contribution of $500, $1,000 or more is made, the donator gets a brick to inscribe, which will be seen at the main entrance of the pool.
Tino Rodriquez, dubbed "Mr. Fremont" more than 30 years ago, has helped in the donation of bricks by mailing over 150 letters to Fremont alumni, informing them of this opportunity to contribute. Rodriquez graduated from Fremont 1944, along with his wife.
"My wife and I feel have gotten an excellent education at Fremont, and we want to give back. When Holly called me up asked me if I wanted to help her raise money, I said I sure would," Rodriquez said.
"We're going to leave it in the hands of the residents, businesses and the community to reach the top," Lofgren said.
According to Lofgren, only $265,000 more is needed to make the $1 million goal. "With the community, we're going to do it," Rodriquez said.
For more information call Friends of the Fremont Pool Hotline at 408.245. 2875 or fremontpool@aol.com. Donation checks can be made payable to City of Sunnyvale Pool Trust Fund, and mailed to Friends of the Fremont Pool at P.O. Box 2656 Sunnyvale, CA 94087.
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Sunnyvale, California Since 1994
