Now that summer is here and the school year is nearing an end, it’s a great time for families in Cherry Hill to get out and explore their local swim club.
For decades, Cherry Hill swim clubs have served as an ideal meeting place within our neighborhoods. They’re a place to connect with friends, enjoy quality time with family, beat the heat, and keep kids active and entertained. They truly are a unique and integral part of what makes Cherry Hill such a special place to live and play.
When I was a child, my family frequented the Haddontowne Swim Club, and I know firsthand what a valuable asset these clubs are to our neighborhoods. I also know that they need community-wide support to continue to grow and thrive, so that they can serve our families for years to come.
That’s where you come in: If you aren’t already a member, I hope you’ll visit your local club in the coming weeks to see what it has to offer. You might be surprised!
The 2014 swim club season officially began Memorial Day weekend. Most clubs offer a variety of membership options, from individual memberships to large families, to special rates for seniors and “empty-nesters.”
You can contact your local club of choice directly:
• Barclay Farm, 315 Whitemarsh Way; (856) 429–9616; www.BarclayFarm.org
• Charleston, 1297 Marlkress Road; (856) 354–9808; www.CharlestonSwimClub.org
• Cherry Valley, 3406 Church Road; (856) 667–9828; www.CherryValleySC.org
• Covered Bridge, 1 Aqua Lane; (856) 429–6620; www.CBSwimClub.org
• Downs Farm, 1701 Haddonfield-Berlin Road; (856) 428–1151; www.DownsFarmSwimClub.org
• Erlton, 1505 Park Boulevard; (856) 429–9714; www.ErltonSwimClub.com
• Fox Hollow, 51 Partridge Lane; (856) 424–9826; www.FoxHollowSwimClub.com
• Haddontowne, 60 Plymouth Drive; (856) 429–9834; www.HaddontowneSwimClub.com
• Kingston Estates, 116 Deland Avenue; (856) 429–9641; www.KingstonSwimClub.com
• Old Orchard, 9 Evans Lane; (856) 424–9815; www.OldOrchardSwimClub.com
• Wexford Leas, 14 Rooftree Road; (856) 424–4512; www.WexfordLeasSwimClub.org
• Willowdale, Swallow & Ticonderoga Drive; (856) 428–8180; www.WillowdaleSwimClub.org
• Woodcrest, Cranford Road and Astor Drive; (856) 428–1413; www.swimwoodcrest.org
Each club hosts a variety of activities and events throughout the summer, including swimming lessons. The summer’s biggest swimming event — the Cherry Bowl — celebrates its 55th anniversary on Saturday, July 26, at Woodcrest Swim Club. The daylong, annual event boasts hundreds of swimmers from across the 13 clubs and features more than 60 events. Last year’s Cherry Bowl drew thousands of swimmers and spectators to the Wexford Leas Swim Club. Learn more about Cherry Bowl at www.cherrybowl2014.com.
The township does not manage the clubs, and policies and rates are set by each pool’s management board. With that said, council and I realize that it takes a full community effort to ensure the pools are able to thrive and continue to serve our local families.
We have worked closely with the pools over the last year and a half, and encouraged their local executive boards to work together to maximize their existing resources to benefit everyone. The pools have come together to form the Cherry Hill Association of Pools, which will help create cooperative purchasing opportunities and shared services, and identify other best practices to streamline operations across all our swim clubs. We also offer periodic support from the Department of Public Works, which picks up yard waste and other materials in the spring, and helps collect the leaves in the fall. And we are committed to offering whatever additional support we can.
For more information on events, programs and membership, please contact your local club directly. I hope you will help Cherry Hill’s swim clubs maintain their longstanding tradition of family fun by visiting your neighborhood pool this summer!
