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Sat, May 17 2008 

Published: January 08, 2008 03:13 pm    print this story   email this story  

Lots of memories made at Senff Natatorium

By Vanessa Overholser - Staff Writer

Let all acquaintance be forgot and days of Auld Lang Syne. We sing these words whenever a year comes to a close. But what can be said of a beloved building that is being demolished? The acquaintances and memories made and the events that took place there are all priceless.

One of my favorite time periods in history is the 1930s. The fashions and the dances that came from the era fascinate me. So does the history of the Senff Natatorium. After writing the article on its demolition, I feel kind of sad about it. However, I do understand the reasons behind the demolition of the building. As I sat in my interview with Dr. Jack Ellis as he told the story about the building, I felt as though I stepped back in time.

Sure, the building is known for being a public pool but what some do not know is how widely it was used. According to Ellis’s book, the Natatorium was a place where a winter water carnival was held as a social, therapeutic and fund raising event. The fund raising was done for curing the “winter blues.” Also an election of a queen and king was held in the building. When one entered the building there were booths and barkers present to create a carnival atmosphere.

Then there were the naked navy swimmers. Yes, I did write naked navy swimmers. As historians know, the 1930s were a time period where the United State participated in WW II. One of the requirements for naval officers to complete their training was to take certain swimming classes. These classes involved lessons, which involved endurance exercises. In order to complete these exercises the officers had to swim in the nude.

In the rear of the building, windows were left open to ventilate the building. Ellis’ book stated there was a worn path behind the pool where girls would peek in at the nude swimmers. There were local boys who knew the building so well that they could break into it without anyone seeing.

The purpose of this column is not to run down the university for its decision. I understand that the building was old and unsafe. I also understand that there was not an appropriate reuse for the building. I thought people should know a bit of history behind the building.

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