A Town Pool for Oakland… 3

A Pool Right In Line
For Old Oakland’s Laevus Site

April 1, 2015 – Last century pools and swimming holes were dotted all around Oakland. There were the Pleasureland pools, the Mueller’s Park pool, Sandy Beach, Crystal Lake, Potash Lake and many swimming holes on or around the Ramapo River. But what about a new pool here in Oakland. We spoke with Rec Chairman Mike Guadagnino, who will be formally proposing the plan. “We may have a very generous donor, by the name of Hayden Siddhartha Finch, who is willing to build an Olympic size pool for us on the old Laevus site (also know as the Jester property). I am putting him in touch with the recreation fundraising arm, the Sports Association of Oakland to see what they can work to make the donation a smooth and easy transaction. This would be an amazing project, one which will help many of us survive these typical hot Oakland summers”, Guad clarified his statement, “well not so much the heat, as it is the humidity”.

The Laevus site would be the best location possible, as this site has many meanings to different people; the most significant to this project would be commonly known as the “second type”. Mr. Finch, who became popular by his days working in Queens and later made his fortune mining pyrite is eager to see something happen here in Oakland. “I’ve been very impressed with the way Oakland does things” said Mr. Finch. “The number of pizzerias, nail salons and banks demonstrates that when Oakland likes something, you go all out; almost to the point of over-kill. This is why I have chosen the Valley of Homes to build a swimming pool; I assume if Oakland likes the new pool, they will probably build 6 or 8 more.” Finch continued, “The Jester property is the best place to follow through with this plan”.

We asked Mike Guad if this new pool would fall under the auspices of the Recreation Commission, and he responded, “I hope so. Commissioner Dan Logatto is ready to jump in and become our new Swimming and Diving Commissioner”. Guad continued “he doesn’t know it yet, but I think our recreation budget is enough above water to supply this new aquatic sport with plenty of swim trunks, floaties and nose plugs to make everyone happy”.

One last question for Mike, isn’t this a great announcement to make on your birthday which happens to be today April 1st? He responded, “yes it is a lot of fun and exciting, I usually spend the day looking to pull one big joke to celebrate April Fools”.

Happy Birthday Coach Guad!