William Penn legends usher in a new era for school's pool
There were two groups among visitors to the swimming pool lobby at William Penn High School on Thursday
There were fourth-graders from McKinley K-8 School, some who said they'd been swimming before at the YMCA or friends' houses but hadn't ever taken lessons.
And there were legends from York High's swim past, medal winners and members of record-breaking relay teams, who, decades ago, helped cement the school as the most decorated high school swimming program in York County history.
There's work underway to try to give those fourth-graders a shot at being record breakers, too.
BT Express, an organization that works to support student athletes, held a news conference Thursday to officially launch a campaign to raise $1.2 million to restore the pool and diving tank at William Penn. The pool was closed eight years ago and sits empty, used for storage.
"It's an eyesore and an embarrassment for the students, the district and our community," said Juanita Kirkland, co-founder of BT Express and a school board member.
York Mayor Kim Bracey, who will co-chair the two-year fundraising campaign with York County Economic Alliance President Kevin Schreiber, said she's glad the windows into the pool are covered. The message an empty pool sends to the high school's students is not a good one.
"Swimming shouldn't be considered a luxury for our city kids or any kids for that matter, particularly when the infrastructure is right in their faces," she said.
The pool needs to be made wider and longer to meet PIAA standards for swimming competitions. Kirkland said that in addition to competitions, the pool could provide K-12 swimming instruction. She said that, in addition to the capital campaign, there will be work on raising funds for sustainability, too.
"Not only will we be restoring the swimming pool, how about the restoration of that oh-so-familiar Bearcat pride?" Kirkland said.
BT Express proposes naming the pool after York High Hall of Fame member William Schmidt and the diving tank after Hall of Fame member Ronn Jenkins.
Jenkins, a 1961 York High grad, said that when he was young, the "ultimate" of competing was to make it to a particular competition in Philadelphia. But that day, both he and Tom Schaeberle, a 1969 graduate, were swimming in York. They hadn't made the meet that year, so they were back in the pool, working at it for next time.
"This is why I'm here today — I want to see each and every one of you Bearcats make it to the big time," Jenkins said.
How to help
BT Expressed has launched a $1.2 million fundraising campaign to restore the William Penn Senior High School pool and diving tank.
Donations can be sent to William Penn Senior High School Pool Restoration Project, 31 N. Pershing Ave., York PA 17401, Attn: Richard Snodgrass, business manager.
For more information, contact Juanita Kirkland at jua.kirkland@comcast.net.