Heritage Snapshot: Part 142

Exercise is recognized as one of the foundation stones of Loma Linda’s health emphasis. Yet, the enormous financial hazards of founding the institution in 1905 delayed the development of recreational facilities for many years. Over the last century, student exercise programs have ranged from required calisthenics to a comprehensive variety of activities supported by the $16.8 million Drayson Center, which opened on Jan. 11, 1995. It offers a gymnasium, weight and cardiovascular exercise rooms, five racquet ball courts, two aerobic exercise rooms (which can accommodate 100 people each), an aquatic park, super field with four softball diamonds, and a one-half mile jogging path. Users readily recognize and appreciate the new facility today as well-planned, well-equipped, and truly world class. There is no possible way to compare the Drayson Center to Loma Linda’s first efforts to provide recreation facilities. In 1912, the College of Medical Evangelists Board of Trustees granted a request by students to use a 350-foot by 24-foot by 5 1/2-foot deep, concrete irrigation reservoir as a swimming pool. While the faculty provided supervision, students managed the facility with a self-governing organization. They sold tickets to students and employees, ranging from $5 plus five cents for each use, to 10 cents for each use. Folks from the community could use the pool for 25 cents a swim. Three years later, the status quo still prevailed. Dr. T. J. Evans requested that the Committee on Medical Offices recommend that: “The old tank house be torn down, and that a sunbath and swimming pool be constructed and prepared for use, on the same location." Estimates for the sunbath and swimming pool were $1,086. In October 1919, the Board devoted considerable time to discussing the proposed swimming pool. They had to acknowledge the fact that students were raising money for the project. They officially thanked them for doing so and instructed those appointed by the Board to cooperate and assist them in any way possible. On Nov. 4, 1919, the Board approved plans, contributed $250, and decided that season's tickets should be allocated toward the pool's maintenance. During the next Constituency Meeting in February, 1920, CME President Newton G. Evans, MD, presented an update on the project: “For a number of years the need of facilities in the form of an out-door gymnasium and swimming pool have been recognized and discussed by those in charge of the school and sanitarium. Repeated efforts have been made to provide some simple facilities of this kind, but previously all of these have been without material results. However, during this present year, a movement has been initiated by the students in the school which has succeeded, and the prospect is good that we will shortly have a good out-door swimming pool and gymnasium provided. The last report, a total cash fund of nearly $1,600 had been raised, largely through the efforts of the students.” In 1924, the College of Medical Evangelists built its second hospital — now the west end of Nichol Hall. Its close proximity to the swimming pool presented challenges. Exuberant students disturbed the quiet atmosphere the hospital tried to maintain. In 1927 G. H. Curtis, Business Manager of the Loma Linda Sanitarium and Hospital, insisted that the Board vote to move the swimming pool to another locality in Loma Linda. He stated that on account of its close proximity to the hospital building, the noise from the pool area was detrimental to “the best interests of the hospital.” In 1929, three students representing the student body were given permission to present an urgent petition to the Board for the construction of the new swimming pool. They pointed out that students from the Class of 1922-1923 had not only raised $2,800 to pay for materials to build the institution’s swimming pool, but also had done all of the excavations and cement work. The Sanitarium had contributed about $700 for a fence, bathhouse, and accessory toilet fixtures. Now that pool was unavailable to students. And it was “their rightful property.” They presented half a dozen reasons why the construction of the new pool should “begin immediately.” Dr. Henry R. Harrower pledged $1,000, if the work “began immediately.” The Sanitarium had promised $2,000. Once more the students offered to excavate the site. Then they really laid the pressure on when they philosophized about health: “We believe that we should obtain a sound body for a sound mind, and we believe that in developing the latter at the expense of the former is not conducive to success. We cannot develop sound bodies without proper recreation. Swimming is practically the only recreation that will be used during the hot summer months.” The students then declared that their two Loma Linda classes had voted to do whatever possible to assist, including excavating the site and raising $1,500.00. They thanked all concerned, and requested a favorable vote and the “earliest possible reply.” G. H. Curtis stated that the new swimming pool would cost an estimated $6,600.00. Measuring 40 by 90 feet and ranging from three to nine feet deep, the new “plunge” opened on Sept. 24, 1929. It was located on Stewart Street, near the west end of today’s Centennial Complex. The project included dressing rooms, showers, toilets, and a caretaker/supervisor’s area. Well-lit, and designed to provide wholesome recreation for the students as well as the employees of the Sanitarium and College, the pool was a grand success. Dr. Edward H. Risley lauded the untiring efforts of College of Medical Evangelists’ students who collected funds to make the project possible. In May, 1937, the Board authorized the college to add a $75, ten-foot “diving tower.” Following the opening of Burden Hall as the new church in 1934, the Board authorized the college to modify the chapel in West Hall (the original Loma Linda Hospital). The platform was removed and the seats were relocated to the outside walls in sections that could be easily handled. Lo, a recreation room!