116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Piece of History: Bender Pool
It opened in 1968, named for Community House director
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More than 300 Cedar Rapidians showed up for the July 20, 1968, ribbon-cutting at the new Elizabeth Bender Swimming Pool across the street from the Jane Boyd Community House in Cedar Rapids.
The pool, 940 14th Ave. SE, was named for Bender, director of the Jane Boyd Community House for 40 years, from 1927 to 1967.
Speakers at the ribbon-cutting included Nevin Nichols, director of the city’s Recreation Commission; Cedar Rapids Mayor Frank Bosh; the Rev. LeRoy White of Mount Zion Baptist Church, who gave the prayer of dedication; Charles “Chuck” McMillan, director of the Community House; and Dr. Percy Harris, president of the Community House board.
Just after the ribbon cutting, the pool was open to adults and children to swim free of charge until noon. The pool reopened at 1:30 for regular admission.
The Red Cross was on site to offer signups for free swimming lessons in August. Bender stayed around to entertain the swimmers by throwing pennies into the pool for children to retrieve, a popular game at the time.
The indoor pool, built with private funds, was 75-by-46 feet and included an innovative sliding glass door that allowed access to the outdoors in the summer.
The city took over operation of the pool in 1972 after it faced financial difficulties. Students at Tyler School (now Metro High School, 1212 Seventh St. SE) also used the pool as part of the school’s physical education program.
Bender died Jan. 18, 1992, in Grinnell, at age 88.
Tara Templeman is curator at The History Center. Comments: curator@historycenter.org
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