George W Stultz Memorial Meet (Last Chance Meet)
The George W. Stultz Memorial Meet is held each year, offering swimmers from within the league to race one more time to achieve a Championship qualifying time.
A letter about George W. Stultz, and the fascinating history of our team and pool, written by his daughter:
George William Stultz
He was a man of vision, hope, and faith in God and in a caring community.
He loved children and was the father of eleven. Other children in the town, would know him as
the one that would organize kick ball games which included all children regardless of age. He
helped coach and time the swim matches of the 18 member Belvidere Swim Team. The
swimmers practiced their strokes in the river and their dives off a dock at the communities’
Riverton River Beach.
After a tragedy of drowning that ended a young girl’s life in the murky waters of the beach, “Bill” was determined to share his dream of building a pool and recreational area that would offer safety and pleasure for families. He sketched simple architectural plans for the complex that were taken to local civic organizations in solicitation of financial backing. A “Belvidere Pool Committee” of eleven prominent leaders of the community was formed and a plan was developed to raise money to pay for “The Pool”. Soon volunteers would go house to house, inviting the residents of Belvidere to purchase $50 bonds to fund the creation of the pool. There was an outpouring of support, monies were raised, and land and two-hundred gallons of paint were donated by Celanese Corporation. Water from Hoffman-LaRoche was used to fill the pool.
A fire of enthusiasm spread throughout the town and volunteers from all walks of life, donated their time and talents to help build “the pool”. Trees were tagged by the Agriculture teacher of Belvidere High School prior to excavation. Electricians, masons, roofers, and other volunteers grading and seeding the property could all be seen working on the weekends.
Soon the dream would become a reality, and a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 30, 1968 would officially open the pool. Among other benefits of the pool, Mr. Stultz was especially proud of the Belvidere Swim and Diving Teams that would now host its own tournaments.
He was a man of vision, hope and faith, and believed that with committed team work miracles can happen.
Peggy Stultz Larney, Daughter
