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Boardman swim, tennis club marks 50th year
BOARDMAN
Sitting in a shady spot near the bocce court at Applewood Swim and Tennis Club, Stacey Moore was content just to be outdoors despite some ominous clouds overhead.
“Even if we’re not swimming, it’s nice to get the kids out of the house,” she said. “I think it’ll be fun for the kids to meet new people.”
Moore, of Youngstown, joined the club this year. She and her family are just the kind of people the club leadership is trying to attract.
Although many people aren’t aware of it, board members Kelly and Marikay Kuntzman say, the club is now open to anyone to join, rather than being restricted to residents in the Applewood neighborhood.
The decision was made several years ago “to change with the times,” Marikay said. “Because the neighborhood itself no longer supports the club in terms of membership.”
The change is one of several since the club at 850 Teakwood Drive first opened its doors – and its pools – 50 years ago, an anniversary that the club is getting ready to celebrate.
“It’s kind of a summer-long event,” Kelly said. The celebration includes a golf outing June 18, a 5K run/walk June 27 and a party at the club July 25, among other summer events.
Another change over the years has been the price of belonging to the club. Marikay recalls paying about $2,000 when she registered her family for the club in 2001 after waiting years for a spot to open up.
Today, membership rates are in the hundreds instead of thousands, and the waiting list is a thing of the past. With about 185 memberships on the books, the club leadership is trying to bring in new members.
The club leadership touts the expansiveness of the facility – with a snack bar, two pavilions, a baby pool, full-size pool, playground, and courts for boccie, tennis, basketball and volleyball – as well as its quiet, shady location, social events and programs such as swim lessons as reasons community members should join. The club also is home to competitive swim and tennis leagues.
More importantly, Kelly and Marikay say, is the experience the club provides.
“We’re trying to get back to kids coming and just spending the day,” Marikay said. “We’re trying to get back to the roots when it was very family-oriented. ... We want to recapture that family atmosphere and let it grow for young families.”
The fact that it is now open to people outside the neighborhood is another plus, they say.
“The nice thing about Applewood is it’s very eclectic,” Marikay said. “Kids meet kids from all over.”
“It brings people together,” said Kelly.
For more information about the club, including the 50th anniversary events and a free open house this weekend, visit www.applewoodswimandtennis.com.