Reconstruction begins on
Richmond’s largest and oldest pool

By Aqueila M. Lewis

Over 100 Richmond community members witnessed a historical wall-breaking ceremony at the Richmond Municipal Natatorium, affectionately known as the “Plunge,” on Monday to celebrate the long-awaited start of construction.

   Construction workers began by punching a hole in the west wall to allow demolition equipment to begin taking down the concrete block interior partitions.

   In the early 1900s, the land upon which the Plunge sits belonged to resident John Nicholl, who thought there was oil underground and drilled down more than 1,000 feet in hopes of finding it. He discovered no crude oil — only fresh water. Nicholl then donated the land to the city.
    The Richmond Municipal Natatorium was built in 1926. At that time, it was a start-of-the-art two-story building with an indoor warm water swimming pool, a fountain, observation balconies and an open truss ceiling reminiscent of the Sutro Baths in San Francisco.
    Through the years, the Plunge has been a distinctive asset to the city of Richmond where youth, elders and those with illnesses and disabilities have come to swim, exercise, recuperate and enjoy family activities.
    In August 2001, the city closed down the Plunge due to the failing safety standards of all the building’s systems. The deteriorated conditions were caused by age, seismic activity, the humid environment of the natatorium and deferred maintenance.
    “A lot of people have been waiting many years for the demolition to happen,” said Richmond Councilman Tom Butt. “The city is going to bring back icons that people know about the history of and enjoy.”
    “We are here to alert the community that the demolition can finally begin,” said Ellie Strauss, executive director of Save the Richmond Plunge Trust and president of Richmond Friends of Recreation. “We are now in demolition, or phase 1, which should take one to one and a half years to complete, and then we will work on phase 2 once we have the funds.”
    Phase 2 of the renovation includes rebuilding the changing, bath and shower facilities and restoring the front, neoclassical part of the building.
    The city of Richmond was awarded a matching $500,000 grant from the Wayne and Gladys Valley Foundation to be used for phase 2 only. Other funds will come from private sources.
    Supporters have held garden tours, benefits, concerts, dinners and “Plunge jams” with free swimming, music and food to raise money and awareness.
    KQED aired a documentary about the site, entitled “The Plunge: Time Laps Through History.”
    For more information about donations, contact Ellie Strauss at (510) 620-6820 or bestrauss@comcast.net, or visit www.richmondplunge.org.
    Donations may be mailed to Save the Richmond Plunge Trust, P.O. Box 70443, Pt. Richmond, CA94807-70443.