2009 is the year of the new look on the Chikopi waterfront. 25 yard and 50 meter pools capture your attention as you look from the Mainhouse out onto the lake. A pool built right into our lake of drink-pure water with no chlorine is what separates Chikopi from all the other swim camps.
Due to the late arrival of the pool construction beams and timber, we could not build the 50m pool on time for the Seven Week campers to see and use. However, under the leadership of Neil Dolman, the pool was completed to a position where the Two Week Camp were able to use it in late August.
The photos tell the story. The new look has the pools in deeper water at the starting end with the 50m pool running towards the beach and a 25 yard pool going in the other direction towards the Bob Barney Sailing Pavilion. The photos show only the 50m pool as the 25y pool is to be added next spring. The job was completed mainly because of Chikopi Manpower and many tough campers and staff helping in the process – too many names to mention all. The old Chikopi Proverb was well understood: “Nothing Easy Is Worth Doing”.
On hand to dedicate the pool in a ribbon cutting ceremony with a partial group of all those who helped was two-time Olympic Champion and five-time World Record Holder Alex Baumann of Canada (see photo). Alex spent four days at Chikopi and Ak-o- Mak talking and working with the swimmers. He directs On the Podium, Canada’s summer sports promotional organization.
This year was a time for us to really use the Open Water for which Chikopi is so well known. Rob’s workouts in the open lake became classic. In 2010, we will be able to combine once again the pool and the lake.
