PORT ANGELES — Do you have Elks swim meet awards, Red Cross swim lesson cards, pool paraphernalia, a 50-year-old swimsuit?
How about swim team bags/jackets/sweatshirts?
Maybe a touching story about the role of the William Shore Memorial Pool in a citizen’s rehabilitation or health recovery?
How about photos or items from birthday parties celebrated at the pool at 225 E. Fifth St., Port Angeles, many years ago?
The committee in charge of the 50th anniversary celebration of Port Angeles’ only public pool — called “Fit, Fun and 50” — is seeking illustrations of the facility’s history for the community party planned from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30.
The committee would like to borrow the photos and items and assures their safe return, said Mary Doherty, chairwoman of the William Shore Memorial Pool 50th Anniversary Celebration committee.
“Pool participants through the years are asked to search basements, attics, albums and scrapbooks to find interesting information and items that testify to the value of the pool to individuals and the community through the 50 years,” Doherty said.
Items may be delivered to the pool between now and Sept. 17 and should be marked clearly with the owners’ names. Those who need items to be picked up can request that assistance at 360-797-1490.
The pool, which was built in 1962, recently was refurbished. It was reopened Aug. 13 after it had been closed June 29 for a $323,000 upgrade.
Historic information
The committee is assembling a collection of historical information, pictures and artifacts from the “old and new” pools.
Memorabilia, displays, demonstrations and dignitaries are planned at the celebration.
And there will be food — the last hot dogs of summer, lemonade and an anniversary cake.
Closing the ceremony will be all the organizations active at the pool in a symbolic “ribbon joining.”
An open swim, offered at no charge, will follow the ceremony until 4 p.m.
During the celebration, annual swimming passes can be purchased or extended for 10 percent off the regular price, which varies according to age and whether it is for an individual or a family.
When the pool was built as a municipal facility, the city of Port Angeles named it in memory of Bill Shore, longtime educator in Port Angeles schools and summer swim teacher to thousands of local children.
In 2009, the William Shore Memorial Pool District took ownership of the pool from the city of Port Angeles after voters approved the new district to run the pool, which city officials were considering closing because of its age.
Shore family members
The 50th anniversary celebration will open with the introduction of Shore family members still living in the Northwest.
Photos from the original opening event show Mabel Shore and children Marly, Craig and Brent receiving a plaque in honor of their husband and father.
They are bringing the plaque to the celebration.
Pictures also show typical early ’60s attire: girls in the required swim caps, boys with short hair and adults in their finest attire looking at the marvel of the modern swimming facility in a May 1962 afternoon reception.
Artifacts assembled include the original architect’s rendering, a watercolor of the facility as it was imagined to look when finished, newspaper clippings and photos from the past.
Committee members are open to receiving information verbally as well, Doherty said.
On the committee with Doherty are Mollie Lingvall, Anna Manildi, Sabine Rockett, Cherie Kidd, Cindy Burke and Leah Gould.
Emails can be sent to the committee through marymargdoherty@hotmail.com with “WSMP 50th” in subject line.
The pool is open Mondays through Thursdays from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Fridays from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information about the pool, visit www.williamshorepool.org or phone 360-417-9767.
