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| Citizens of Richmond successfully promoted a bond issue in 1926 to create the Richmond Municipal Natatorium, at that time a "state of the art" two-story building with an indoor warm water swimming pool, a fountain, observation balconies, and an open truss ceiling reminiscent of the Sutro Baths in San Francisco. Richmond's population was about 20,000 at that time, grew to over 200,000 during the "war years" and is now about 80,000. For all of these 70 years the "Plunge" has been a distinctive asset to the City of Richmond where youth, elders, those with infirmities and illness, have come to swim, exercise, maintain mobility, recuperate and just enjoy family activities. It has been utilized by residents of Contra Costa, Alameda, Solano and Marin Counties. The Plunge has been open to all ages, races, economic status, physical abilities and life status. Through the years the City of Richmond has struggled to keep it open and meet the costs of staffing while faced with the almost crushing urban issues of poverty, unemployment, and violence. The City has endeavored to address the ongoing maintenance of the facility in the face of declining economic conditions. Most major improvements have been deferred and seismic retrofitting has become financially unfeasible. In November 1997, the City Council realized they did not have the funds to retrofit the building and determined they had no option but to close the Plunge permanently. Richmond Friends of Recreation, organized in 1979 as a non-profit organization with the purpose of supporting community recreation programs, spearheaded a major rehabilitation of the pool equipment and repainting of the structure. Through the years RFR has sponsored recreation-related activities such as swimming instruction at the Plunge for elementary grade students from local public schools. RFR, responding to appeals of Richmond citizens, is now working with the City in a unique Public/Private Partnership to raise the necessary funds to retrofit, upgrade and reopen the Plunge. It has established a "Save the Richmond Plunge Trust" under its tax-exempt status and has raised over $154,000 in cash and in excess of $40,000 in in kind donations from local business owners. RFR has committed to an ambitious campaign of appeals to corporations, foundations, and individuals and a calendar of community events to recruit workers and raise funds. |
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