It was only after the Byron Opti - mist Club proposed a communi- ty campaign for funds, offering to underwrite any shortage, that the City contributed an addi- tional $25,000. The Province contributed $15,000 and the re- maining $20,000 was raised by the residents of Byron. “I’ll tell you, we worked hard for this pool, but Byron has something other parts of the city haven’t got – spirit” said Byron resident, Mrs. Taylor.
Byron Swimming Pool since 1969 At the end of May 1969, the first shovel broke ground as digging began to build the $60,000 Byron Swimming Pool. The community project was expected to be completed by that August. The cost was to be split between the residents of Byron and the City of London. About $20,000 was raised by Byron residents and a community Walk-a-thon.
In addition to the sod turning on that day, the Byron Optimist Club scattered 15 tokens in the surrounding deep grass. Children finding the tokens were promised free admittance to the pool during the evenings and weekends once admission was going to be charged. Gord Jorgenson, the pool’s publicity chairman, said Byron residents first grumbled about having to pay – remembering their unsuccessful bid for a high school located in Byron. In the end, the residents rallied together and came up with the money to make this happen. On the day the pool opened, about 100 Byron youngsters came to catch a first glance at the new pool. The children were so excited that invited City Officials kept their speeches to a minimum while the kids cried “Gangway!!”
Located at 1330 Brock Lane, the Byron pool is an outdoor heated leisure swim pool with a diving board and climbing wall. It opens in early July and closes in late August. The facility is accessible by beach entry or water wheelchair entry and is operated by the City of London Aquatic Services. During July and August, the pool is opened Sunday to Saturday. Parents & Tots recreational swim times are Monday to Friday from 10:30 to 11:30 am. Pre-registration is not required. Adults are free and children are $5 each. Public recreational swim times are scheduled Monday to Friday from 1 pm to 3:30 pm and from 6 pm to 8 pm. Pre-registration is not required. For swimming lessons and up-to-date information, visit www.london.ca/living- london/recreation/aquatics or call 519-661-4405. Thank you to John Sherwood for the LFP clippings
Mayor Herb McClure, left, Byron Optimist Club Vice- President Jack Sherwood centre, and PUC chairman Elmo Curtis hoist the first shovel full of earth on the site of Byron’s new swimming pool. May 1969
Neil Bryson, Byron Optimist club campaign chairman and club president Reg Taylor at the opening of the new Byron Pool in August 1969
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All who attended the opening day were happy and relieved. Prior to the opening of the Byron Pool, the closest swimming pool was at Thames Park. “It just goes to show you what a close-knit community Byron is. The city wouldn’t build it, so we got together and came a good way to building it ourselves,” said Byron resident, Mrs. Ferrier.
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