Known for its rich Olympic history, the Santa Clara Swim Club has been a pride of the city since 1951. Founded by George Haines, the club is based out of the International Swim Center. With the sudden closure of the center on January 12, 2024, Santa Clara swimmers have been forced to find a new home.
The 60-year old facility has needed repairs in the past. A recent inspection, however, deemed the ISC unsafe, leading to its closure. The decision involved little communication, as Mayor Lisa Gillmor stated that she found out only a day before the public. Although given little notice, Gillmor is determined to find a solution.
“It’s gonna have to be driven by me and the council,” Gillmor said. “I grew up here, and I understand how important this center is for our community and the council does as well. We’re going to be driving it as quickly as possible.”
Aware of the benefits the center brings to the area, Gillmor is working with the swim community to find the right fit. With pressure to get swimmers back in the water, she is pushing to get an alternative within months. Gillmor currently sees Myrtha pools as the solution.
“That’s how we’re going to come up with a solution because they (swim specialists) know what to do and the quickest way to do it,” Gillmor said. “That’s how I learned about the Mercer pools and how challenging it is to find them and having them available for us to purchase. I’m ready to purchase them and get moving on that.”
Although many swimmers have had to adapt to new schedules because of the closure, coaches and athletes have been up for the task. Sophomore Josh Mechlin, a member of Santa Clara Swim Club, stated that his team’s spirit has remained high and is still competitive.
“We’re still training as hard. We might not be at ISC, but we’re still going to meet,” Mechlin said.
From a coaches perspective, it has been a challenge to adapt. Coach Victory Huynh expressed how difficult it has been on his swimmers as well himself.
“One of them (a swimmer) was pretty disappointed and said they were pretty much homeless and that they can’t return back to their second home where they’re comfortable at, so it was pretty shocking news,” Huynh said. “ I try to stay positive knowing we’ll have places to swim and we’ll make new places home, but nothing is home like ISC.”
Gillmor is aware of the inconveniences many are facing due to the closure. As a parent, she understands the toll that unnecessary travel can have on families.
“If I have to drive out to Independence High School to bring my son to practice in the morning and in the afternoons, that would really affect our quality of life as a family, and I don’t want to see that happen,” Gillmor said.
As mayor, Gillmor stated she understands the appreciation the community has for the center, motivating her to get a new facility up and running.
“It would provide more opportunities and excitement for people to go and swim, so I can’t think of anything healthier than that,” Gillmor said. “It would be really wonderful for our community, and I’m gonna see that day when it happens. I’m going to help make it happen.”