Area’s first Olympic-sized pool still making a splash

In the ’50s and ’60s, folks would pack the family in the car and head out for the local pool.

There were many to choose from: the Mt. Diablo High School pool, Castle Rock, Mitchell Canyon, Curry Creek, Marsh Creek, Russelman Park and Turtle Creek. Some are still around, however, the largest is the still-thriving Cowell Pool.

As the story goes, the Dave Ginochio and Tony Fregulia families sold 31 acres on Cowell Road to the city to build a community pool, park and tennis courts. The deed was recorded in 1963. According to longtime resident Dan Helix, Ginochio also donated the house that stood on his land.

The city did what it had to do to start developing one of the best parks and pools in the valley, and Cowell Road would forever change.

It was the first Olympic-sized pool around, drawing a lot of attention to the growing sport of competition swimming. In the early ’70s, pre-Olympic trials were held there and a couple local kids competed.

“At the trials dinner, the Japanese swimmers refused to take a silver medal,” Helix recalls. “If it wasn’t gold, they didn’t want it.”

That was a most exciting time for Concord and the surrounding area. The City Council wanted a larger, more splendid pool that could host the Olympics. The water aerobic ladies, who used the pool all the time, stood up to the council and told them not to do it. So they didn’t.

Everyone understood that they could take better care of what they had rather than building anew.

The pool has been recently renovated, and the local high schools use it for water polo and swim team.

The Terrapins, a year-round swim team, is nationally known, and swimmers come from all over for their summer workout program.

The ladies, along with a few gentlemen, are still doing water aerobics and enjoying the sun and water.
Now people seem to have backyard pools or belong to local swim clubs. But if you ever feel inclined for an old-fashioned afternoon, try a local watering hole.

Carol Longshore has been a Concord resident since 1950. She is a community leader and past president of the Concord Historical Society. Send comments and suggestions for future topics to editor@concordpioneer.com.