Photo Credit: Mike Mezeul
In 1988, there wasn’t much in the way of parks or recreation opportunities in Allen, Texas. Back then the city had no recreation centers and fewer than 600 acres of parks to serve a population of nearly 20,000. Just 25 years later, Allen’s 85,000-plus residents enjoy more than 1,200 acres of parks, more than 40 miles of hiking and nature trails, five recreation facilities, including a state-of-the-art natatorium, a new municipal golf course, and even more. But in 1988, the list might as well have included only Ford Pool—then a new swimming facility built just 2 years earlier.
While swimming has always been a welcomed pastime—particularly in the Texas summer heat—facilities in the U.S. like Ford Pool were really just starting to become popular for swimming competitions. In fact, many experts point to the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, as a turning point for the popularization of the sport, as American swimmers Matt Biondi and Janet Evans brought home 10 medals, including eight golds between them.
Enthusiasm Abounds For Aquatics
Even in Allen—which still wasn’t much more than a one stop-light town—competitive swimming was catching on. That year a group of volunteers organized the City of Allen Swim Team (COAST), putting the time and effort into coordinating practice and swim meets at Ford Pool. The organization consisted of just a couple dozen swimmers—if that—and a group of dedicated parents.