18 February 2013

"Our experience was perfect! KUDOS to you, your coaches, families and of course, swimmers!"
- Nazareth Blue Fins

"Quite possibly the best run meet we have ever been to."
- Episcopal Academy Aquatic Club

"I have attended a lot of swim meets and have never experienced such hospitality!"
- Westtown Aquatics Program parent

This past President's Day Weekend, The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in North Philadelphia welcomed more than 400 swimmers, from 21 swim teams, from across the tri-state area for its first-ever officially sanctioned swim meet.

Salvation Army Senior Aquatics Director Jim Ellis led the charge for this exciting event, which marked a major milestone for the center. Now in its third year of operation, The Salvation Army Kroc Center continues to expand upon its role as a beacon of hope for the city of Philadelphia.

“Before we could host our first competitive swim meet, we had to open the center and get used to all of our normal daily operations,” Ellis said. “Now we’re looking forward to bringing a new and exciting experience to the city and the region.”

Ellis is widely recognized for establishing the first competitive African American Swim team in the country and was the subject of the Hollywood film Pride starring Terrence Howard.Ellis has spent the past several months spearheading this competitive meet.

 Held under the sanction of USA Swimming, and sanctioned by Middle Atlantic Swimming, Inc. the meet was conducted according to current USA Swimming and Middle Atlantic Swimming rules. Competing teams came from parts of New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. Approximately 40 members of The Salvation Army Kroc Center’s swim team participated in the competition. The top eight swimmers in each category received awards.

“We thank everyone for coming out to watch. We have a great facility and this is the beginning of many more meets we’re going to host here at The Salvation Army,” Ellis said. “The competition pool was included in the center’s original design for this purpose, and we’re now fulfilling that portion of this dream facility for Philadelphia.”

 “It truly was a joy to see the looks on the faces of coaches, swimmers, and parents alike when they experienced a facility like this that was created for competitive swimming,” Ellis said. “We know that this facility is not just one of the best, but the best in the area. We hope everyone will enjoy coming here.”

Ellis aims to offer four or five competitive meets per year in the future, with an emphasis on providing a fresh and creative experience for all guests – including the capability to broadcast meets through a closed circuit system within the building for those who wish to watch the competition from a separate viewing area.

“Swimming is coming back into the city of Philadelphia,” Ellis said. “With our incredible competitive swimming pool, now we can help educate people about the sport of competitive swimming once again.”