CLARK — Clark Community Pool, located at 201 Oak Ridge Rd. in Clark celebrated its 40th birthday on Saturday, June 28.
The festivities began at 11:30 am with a ribbon cutting ceremony by Mayor Sal Bonaccorso and town council members Pat O’Connor, Al Barr, and newly appointed member Marie Soyka. Bonaccorso thanked Recreation Director Ralph Bernardo, Manager of the Pool, Mike Kozlowski and the members of the Clark Pool Advisory Board.
“I think today it’s is the best it’s ever been under the wonderful leadership of this volunteer board,” said Bonaccorso. “The thing they always come back to me and the Council for is about making the pool better for all of you. Have a wonderful summer, and maybe we’ll see each other in another 40 years.”
More than 1,200 people were in attendance on a beautiful summer day to enjoy the many special activities taking place to celebrate the occasion. Float races, a penny find in the baby pool, a giant floating obstacle course, balloon animals, a DJ, and the day ended with the LEGO movie.
Free hot dogs and hamburgers, watermelon, cotton candy and sno-cones were available all day. Later in the day two sheet birthday cakes were enjoyed by all. All members enjoyed free giveaways as they entered the pool and every pool member had the opportunity to win over 25 door prizes including gift certificates from various businesses in the area.
Members were able to see a large assortment of original newspapers and photographs from 1974 covering the grand opening of the pool. Also on display were the original blue prints and the estimated invoice to build the pool for $374,000.
Bernardo said that memberships to the pool are still available for the season. Membership is not limited to Clark residents and he encouraged anyone who wanted to visit the pool to stop by for a tour.
Bernardo thanked the many businesses and organizations that donated to the event allowing for the entire celebration to be held without the town or the pool having to contribute any money.