Jaguar Foundation gives community a summer of free swimming

Surprise announcement made at new pool’s opening

What was planned as a free day of swimming as part of the grand opening for St. Augustine’s Willie Galimore Center Community Pool last Friday turned into a whole summer of free swimming with a surprise gift from the Jaguar Foundation.

Mark Lamping, Jacksonville Jaguars President, and Peter Racine, Jaguars Foundation President, participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, May 24 for the new Galimore Community Pool in Lincolnville as a show of support for the center’s new pool. The Willie Galimore Center is named for the St. Augustine native and Chicago Bears running back Willie Galimore, an NFL Star in the late 50’s and early 60’s.

When invited to offer remarks by St. Augustine City Manager John Regan, Lamping made a surprise announcement that the Jaguars Foundation would underwrite general swimming entrance fees for the entire summer. The city had planned to charge $1 for children and $2 for adults. Additionally, Lamping announced that the foundation would donate additional funds allowing the pool to extend its hours of operation.

First opened a quarter century ago, the pool was originally operated as part of the St. Johns County Parks and Recreation Department, but in 2009, faced with increasing demands, St. Johns County closed the pool. Last year, using funds provided by St. Johns County, the city removed the old pool and replaced it in just five months of construction. The new pool, which will be open through Labor Day, is operated by the St. Augustine Family YMCA.

Source: City of St. Augustine