Chappaqua Swim & Tennis celebrates its 50th anniversary this July 4th

July 2, 2010
by Debra Rosenbloom

Chappaqua Swim & Tennis Club, the first membership-owned pool club in New Castle, turns 50 this year. Research on the founding of the club, conducted in preparation for the celebration of this milestone at the club’s annual July 4 barbeque, turned up several interesting facts. Who knew, for example, that the “foundations” of CST, as it is fondly referred to by its members, include railroad ties scavenged from the construction of the Pan Am building?

“C” for community as well as Chappaqua

CST thrives today as it did 50 years ago with lots of fun activities for families from morning until dusk, Memorial Day through the weekend after Labor Day.  What makes CST so special, many members believe, is its strong sense of community. Records from original board members suggest that a strong sense of community was one of the founding principles of the club.

CST was built on a solid set of family values, as envisioned by the three founding families: the Whittleseys, Standerwicks and Hunsickers.  These families first discussed the idea of a membership-owned swimming pool at a party in late January 1959.  At that time, there were a few local golf clubs in existence, but no community pool, and attempts to get a town pool approved by the New Castle Town Board proved futile. 

The newly established committee, joined by the Shimmons and Lesters, held its first public meeting at the Robert E. Bell School on April 27, 1959.  There was a huge turnout. So backed by this groundswell of support, the organizing group got started.  They visited several possible club sites, and ultimately decided on the current Hardscrabble Road location. 

Despite many setbacks and tremendous obstacles along the way, including a local builder who wanted to purchase the land and build houses, the group persevered. Through ingenuity, such as scrounging railroad ties from Grand Central Terminal during the construction of the Pam Am building, and the sweat equity of volunteers who cleared land for the parking lot, pool site and septic fields, the pool opened on time on May 30, 1960. 

The club’s initial membership totaled 325 families with a healthy waiting list. And the most astounding accomplishment of all?  The founding families were able to build the club under budget and with no mortgage!  The bonds were sold for $350 each:  the best deal in town to entertain a family for the summer.

CST families continue tradition of community

To this day, Chappaqua Swim & Tennis remains financially secure as well as a great deal, with the lowest bonds and yearly dues of all the local swim and tennis clubs. And the sense of community is as strong as ever, its members believe, aided by the stability in its staff and programs. Club Manager, Angelo Piccirillo, has been with CST for 13 years, swim coach Dan Levy for 12 years; and the tennis program has been run by the Saw Mill Club for nine years.

To commemorate this milestone, the club has planned special events for its annual July 4th family barbeque this Sunday. The celebration kicks off at 3:00 p.m. with DJ Scott Cameron. At 4:00 p.m. Rusty of Mad Science will present a Fire & Ice performance. And at 5:00 p.m., the fabulous BBQ feast will be served, with an anniversary cake catered by Jimmy DeSantis from Chappaqua’s very own Villarina’s. Current members are invited to party on until dusk! Special t-shirts for the occasion will to sold at the club to commemorate the event.

For more information about the club and the activities it offers to families, visit its new-refurbished website: http://www.cstclub.org/.  For inquiries about membership for this summer, contact Lori Brosnan at 238-4999. Club members are happy to show potential members around the club’s facilities.

Debra Rosenbloom and her family, husband Jon and two sons Zach and Jake, have been members of CST for 20 years.