Namesake Announced for UP Pool

At last night’s “changing of the guard,” as outgoing Mayor Blackie Holmes put it, emotions were high. Three of University Park’s most vocal leaders were retiring from the dais. But the tears didn’t really start to flow until city staff unveiled the new name for the recently refurbished Curtis Park Pool: the Holmes Aquatic Center.

It wasn’t until yesterday that I actually heard the story of how Holmes got the name “Blackie,” and considering his past as a swimmer and knowing how involved he was in last fall’s controversy over the pool’s proposed renovations and wall, it seems like the perfect fit.

In fact, UP spokesman Steve Mace said after the pool discussions, the city received more than 30 letters from residents in support of naming the facility after Holmes, and in April, the Facility Naming Commission unanimously voted to rename the pool for him.

City Hall won’t be the same without you, Blackie!

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2 thoughts on “Namesake Announced for UP Pool

  • May 20, 2010 at 9:29 am
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    That’s great! Blackie deserves the honor. Please make sure and put the lettering up in the right font and in the correct spacing from the start this time.

    Reply
  • May 20, 2010 at 7:37 pm
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    Please share – how’d he get the name ‘Blackie’? I’d never really thought about it but now my imagination is running wild with the possibilities!

    Reply

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