Nile Swim Club in Yeadon has staying power, not easily outdone by a virus, writes Maria Panaritis for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

The first Black-owned pool club is open for business with poolside family movies and even a modest Fourth of July fireworks display, despite the pandemic.

Anthony Patterson, who went to the club in his younger days, helped rescue it from foreclosure, unpaid taxes and a facility in need of repair.

He had hoped this year would be a turning point. Then came COVID-19.

They kept the club going for the kids. With a grant from The Foundation for Delaware County’s COVID-19 Response Fund they bought personal protective equipment and were able to open.

The pool is much appreciated by the families in the dense neighborhoods in and around Yeadon, especially after the quarantine.

“Our founders put up their mortgages to build this place in 1959,” Patterson said, “so we kids could swim here. They risked whatever they had to risk.

“I would risk whatever I had to risk,” he added, “to not lose this pool.”

In that spirit, more needs to be done and donations are always welcome.

Read more about the Nile Swim Club here.

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