Untitled Document

CONSTRUCTION ON THE FIRST 25YD POOL (1967)

The Lakeside Corporation was founded in 1924 for the purpose of beautifying the property surrounding the Lake and using it for the benefit and enjoyment of the members. The club grounds and quarry area comprise approximately two and one-half acres and are enclose on two sides by forty-foot cliffs. Click here for some more facts...

Timeline
1923
1923	The first lots in the Lakeside neighborhood are auctioned.
1928	The first lifeguard (Leroy "Pete" Droppelman) was hired The first Lakeside swimming and diving meet was held. Membership had increased to 63.
1924 - 1930	Wooden platforms were built and laid on steel floats and turn boards were extended down 3' under the water to form the beginning swim course. Wooden piers are also part of the club's progress. The wood was taken off at the end of the summer and stored for protection. Later these wood structures are replaced by concrete. The property exists under several names including Kaelin's Quarry, Highland Lake, and Spring Lake before finally settling on Lakeside. Water is chlorinated by dragging a tow sack around in the water. Boats were purchased for this purpose, however, other methods were also used. Llifeguard, George Ochs, admitted to placing powdered chlorine in his trunk pockets and swimming through the water. 300 small mouth bass were placed in the Lake.
1930 - 1945	The gate house was erected in the 1930's and remains a landmark of our club. The front gate is the club's entrance and used for membership check-in during the summer months. A wooden pavilion is built where the Eckard building now stands. The first concession stand is built. It measured 10' x20' and had a dirt floor. During rain storms the workers had to stand on drink boxes to avoid the muddy conditions. All water in the Lake area was 10 or more feet deep. A wooden crib built on barrels was erected adjacent to the lake area for the sole purpose of teaching swim lessons. A tower is constructed on the cliff that included a cable and trolley that could be ridden down into the lake. The first concrete pool is built. It was very small and located in the same area as the current instructional pool is today. The pool was poorly constructed and had 2 or 3 concrete bottoms placed on top of each other because of pressure from the water in the lake pushed the bottoms up. Because of the new glider base at Bowman Field, Lakeside members enjoyed daily "glider shows".
1946	Jack Thompson is named Secretary-Treasure of the Lakeside Board of Directors
1947	The "Lake" is drained for the first time.
1949	The first chlorination system was installed. Jack Thompson is named Lakeside Manager.
1956	First Pavilion was completed. Membership increased to 1,278.
1967	Construction begins on a new pool.
1972	The first Maintenance Supervisor was hired.
1973	A second floor is built on the Eckard building.
1980	Lakeside hires its first General Manager, Tom Curtin. Prior to 1980 the duties of a General Manager (long range planning, construction supervision, bookkeeping, membership, etc.) were handled by various board members. Jack Thompson's duties included pool management, supervision of concessions and gate, and swim coach.
1981	A 25-yard practice area and turn board were completed at the back of the pier.
1982	Construction begins on a new pavilion.
1983	Dedication of the new pavilion named "The Jack Thompson Swim Pavilion" The Corporation hires Brian Cunningham as Maintenance Manager and Mary Tingley Graves as Aquatic Manager.
1986	The board of Directors resolved to name Jack Thompson "Mr. Lakeside".