“What this town needs is a swimming pool.”
Those were my mother’s words one night at the dinner table in the late 50’s. My mother loved to swim. But it didn’t stop there. She wanted my sister and I to be able to grow up experiencing the “finer” things in life such as swimming and other family fun activities.
Her vision for a local club pool developed quickly into reality.
Madelene Blocher of Batavia got together with several area businessmen. They put together a plan, purchased a beautiful secluded 6 1/2 acre site at the end of Main street in Batavia and before long a hole was dug, concrete was poured, and the spray from the cannon balls was flying! Families were picnicking and tennis balls were popping! The Ridge Club, as it was known back then, came to life.
The Ridge Club Inc was formed in 1956 as a non-profit corporation organized by the residents of Batavia, Williamsburg, Bethel, Mt. Carmel and Owensville. The original board members included; Madelene Blocher, president, William Parsons, John Moore, Herb Hoberg, Henry Stewart, and Bill Brasselton.
Drawings for the proposed pool were completed and the contract for construction was awarded to the American Construction Company in Cincinnati. The total cost for the facility was estimated at $34,000.
Debenture bonds were sold to finance the pool and accessories. Membership in the Ridge Club was limited to 250 families and the membership campaign was essentially completed by Christmas of ’56.
The opening of the Ridge Club in May of 1957 was a grand event. Over the years, The Ridge Club has enriched the lives of folks in Batavia and surrounding towns by not only providing a wonderful recreational facility but by promoting community and family ties. Picnics, tennis, swim meets, event nights and parties. All summer long, “the pool” was the place to be.
Much time has passed. The name has changed to the Batavia Swim Club. The old farmhouse that was originally used as a snack bar and party rooms, was gutted and made into a lovely pavilion. A snack bar and covered veranda with tables and chairs were added several years later, and siding was put over the pump house with more sun deck area on the roof.
Fortunately, the beautiful setting remains largely the same as it was years ago. Also unchanged is the community pride, family fun, and friendships that folks continue to experience as members of this unique swim club.