Lee Graham Swim, Dive and Tennis Club located at 7319 Lee Highway in Falls Church, is turning 50 years old this year. Founded in November 1954, with an initial capital investment of approximately $75,000 and one pool, the club has since grown, prospered and evolved into a strong presence in the Falls Church community. Lee Graham was the first community pool in the Falls Church area and is one of the original eight founding members of the Northern Virginia Swimming League in 1955.
Next weekend, July 10-11, Lee Graham will host a two day “golden anniversary homecoming” celebration. An anniversary committee has been engaged in active outreach programs to insure that former members, including former Dolphin swimmers and divers who are now adults, have been notified of the festivities and encouraged to attend. A large number of former members and out-of-town guests have already confirmed their plans to attend.
Current Lee Graham President Steve McLaughlin observed recently that this year’s celebration should set a new standard for Lee Graham. “We have been planning for this for over a year. The facility and the programs at Lee Graham have been a major part of summer life for Falls Church families for 50 years. The pool is often the home away from home for families with small children. As the children grow up and participate in the swim or dive programs, the bond between families and Lee Graham strengthens. Unlike virtually all other youth sports, swimming and diving programs bring together the whole family, with all age groups competing together as a team, and the parents providing organizational support and officiating. After the children have grown and started families of their own, memberships sometimes lapse, but everyone who has been an active member have fond memories of summers at Lee Graham.”
On Saturday, July 10 from 7:00 p.m. to midnight, current and former members and their guests will enjoy an “adult night” party with catered fare, evening swimming, and entertainment. Until July 5, the cost is $25 per person, $40 thereafter. Tickets for current and former pool members can be obtained by stopping by the pool front desk or phoning 703-560-1430.
On Sunday, July 11 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. the Lee Graham community, past and present, will enjoy a Family Fun Day of carnival games and food, moon bounces, puppet shows, obstacle courses, clowns, face painting, tattoo artists, and much more. The pool will be open for swimming as well, starting at 1:00 p.m. Family Fun Day is free to pool members, past and present. Proof of membership is required (old membership lists will be used for former members). Guest tickets are available for $10 per person at the door.
Part of the weekend’s activities will include building a time capsule for future members when the 100th birthday of the pool is celebrated in 2054.
When it first opened, Lee Graham pool consisted of one swimming pool, a baby pool, and a small bath house. A second pool was added in 1964, together with a bath house expansion. In 1998, a new clubhouse and tennis courts were added as part of a $1 million renovation project. Lee Graham currently has over 525 members, many of which have been members for over 25 years or are second generation members.
The organizing committee is soliciting local business for gifts that can be used for door prizes throughout the weekend. Lee Graham’s member families constitute a strong economic presence in the area. Please contact Robin Woehrle at wwoehrle@cox.net or 703.641.7940 if you would like to donate an item or know of any former members still in the area that may be interested in attending the events.