Updates
Cady Way Revitalization Project: Revising Priorities
While we are thrilled with our progress so far, our priorities are shifting.
✅ The Latest on the Pool and Volleyball Courts
Thank you for a great fundraiser at Primrose Lanes. We raised $19,365 toward our goal!
We currently have $587,000 in the bank with another $1.3 million pledged from both private and corporate donors (like Orlando Health) to come over the next few years.
While we are thrilled with the efforts so far, we are finding we will need to shift priorities for the time being.
We originally planned to break ground this month on the beach volleyball courts. However our board has voiced concerns. Board members have reminded us that our Foundation’s mission is focused on swimming, health, fitness, and providing swim lessons, NOT building volleyball courts for the high school and community.
The courts are a wonderful addition that we are proud to create, but members are asking why are we directing current funds to building volleyball courts when we haven’t yet finished raising enough money for the pool.
As a result our priority is shifting, especially since we have not gotten the public support for the volleyball courts that we anticipated. So far, only one person has stepped up to donate toward that part of this project, so we are disappointed to not be able to deliver the volleyball courts at this stage like we had originally projected.
How much more do we realistically need to start building the pool? 👉 $950,000.
That’s your answer and that is our goal.
We need just a few more key donors, either individual or corporate, to step up to be part of this legacy project.
🗓️ Below is our revised timeline to keep everybody on the same page.
Stage 1: 50m Pool (10 lanes long course, 22 lanes short course)
This stage includes Pump House, Deck, Fencing, Columns, etc.
Breaking ground: June 1, 2025
Estimated Completion (due to rainy season): November 14, 2025
Here’s what has to happen before we break ground:
Land survey: ✅ COMPLETED BY THE FOUNDATION
Architectural & Civil Plans (March)
Geotech drilling (March)
Finish fundraising
Stage 2: Updating Current Building
Start Date: November 1, 2025
Estimated Completion: (TBD)
Here’s what has to happen before we start this stage:
Finish fundraising
Stage 3: Historic Green Space
Start Date: August 15, 2025
Estimated Completion: December 15, 2025
Here’s what has to happen before we start this stage:
Finish fundraising
Stage 4: Beach Volleyball Courts
We wanted to break ground on March 12, 2025.
We wanted to complete the courts by March 31, 2025.
Here’s what has to happen before we break ground:
Land survey: ✅ COMPLETED BY THE FOUNDATION
Ordering pro-quality net and equipment: ✅ COMPLETED BY THE CITY
Aloma Elementary has a big carnival in the space : ✅ THIS IS COMPLETE
Get approval from board to start: THIS HAS NOT BEEN GRANTED YET
Our goal is still to have everything completed, including the volleyball courts, and us diving into a new pool by this November 14, 2025, or earlier. With your help we can do this!
⛳️ Ready for the next opportunity to help us raise funds?
We are hosting a golf tournament on March 29th at the Winter Park Pines Community. Check out the details here.
Airports & Bowling Alleys—The Surprising Story of Cady Way Pool
Airports and bowling alleys— the surprising way they led to Cady Way Pool
See the surprising story of Cady Way below…
Our big event to fund the Cady Way Revitalization Project is this Sunday, February 23 at Primrose Lanes sports bar. The silent auction is now open, so check it out. While the auction is accompanying our fundraising event at Primrose Lanes, you DO NOT have to be present at the event to bid and win an auction item.
We chose Primrose Lanes Sports Bar as the fundraising venue for a very specific reason—not only is it a fabulous place but it has a direct tie-in to Cady Way Pool. Get ready for a doozy of a story to see how they are intertwined!
Now on the the story!
✅ Part I: Cady Way was Originally an Airport
In 1945, World War II veterans Howard and Sandy Showalter, along with their partner Ford "Buck" Rogers, established Showalter Airpark right on the land where Cady Way Pool currently sits.
Recognizing the growing interest in flying and the need for accessible flight training, the trio transformed 100 acres of scrub pine land into the first private airport in the area, Showalter Airpark. The airpark featured grass runways, hangars, and support facilities, quickly becoming a central hub for pilots, aviation enthusiasts, and aspiring airmen.
Click a picture below to learn more about the Airpark:
Thank you to the Winter Park History Museum and Orlando Memory for the photos.
Several prominent Winter Park residents took flight lessons, including attorney Hope Strong as well as two of his sons. Even his wife took lessons!
Over time, the need for larger, paved runways led the Showalters to switch their focus to the Orlando Municipal Airport (now Orlando Executive Airport).
Though the Showalter Airpark ceased operations in the early 1950s, its legacy lived on, as the site would later be repurposed for the Winter Park Pines, Cady Way Pool, and eventually Showalter Field and the surrounding sports complex.
✅ Part II: Colonial Lanes
Similar to Showalter Airpark, Colonial Lanes was also opened by World War II veterans. Bob Berzin and Don Berg, both former Army Air Patrol fighter pilots, were the founders and operating partners behind 13 bowling alleys throughout the area, but Colonial Lanes was their flagship.
The grand opening of Colonial Lanes was a celebrated community event, attended by local dignitaries, including Orlando Mayor Robert S. Carr and Miss Florida of the time, Ms. Tauscher. For nearly six decades, Colonial Lanes remained a cornerstone of Orlando’s social and recreational scene, fostering a strong sense of community among generations of bowlers and families.
The lanes became a beloved landmark in Orlando’s Milk District, and even into his 80s, Berzin remained deeply involved in its operations, making daily visits to oversee the business. After his death, the property changed hands until the venue reopened in 2023 as Primrose Lanes Restaurant and Bowling Club.
✅ Part III: Colonial Lanes and Cady Way Coming Full Circle
Berg and Berzin are the key to this story coming back to Cady Way Pool. The duo went on to develop multiple business ventures, including Winter Park Pines, along with the land that was donated for the pool in the late 1950s!
✅ A Final Touching Note
We’re proud to swim in a place with such a storied history. There’s one more piece that is worth mentioning, and aligns with our mission of providing swim lessons that are accessible to everyone.
On October 9, 1965, Howard Showalter, then 52-year-old, tragically lost his life while heroically rescuing 11-year-old Anthony J. Woodruff from drowning at New Smyrna Beach, Florida.
Anthony, who was not a strong swimmer, ventured beyond a submerged sandbar approximately 150 feet from shore and became fatigued in the deep riptide, began calling for help. Showalter, who had been a lifeguard in his youth, swam 85 feet to reach the struggling boy, who was flailing in 10-foot-deep water about 275 feet from shore. A lifeguard finally made it to the duo and helped get the boy safely to shore.
Showalter, however, had drifted farther seaward. Rescuers retrieved him with the aid of an inflated raft, but he could not be revived. In recognition of his selfless act, Showalter was posthumously honored by the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission.
✅ We’ve Got an 1950s Era Plane
As a nod to Showalter’s history and to honor Howard’s selfless act, a plane has been donated for our renovation project at Cady Way.
Thanks to the generosity of local developer Scott Fish, we have acquired a 1959 Piper Comanche from the Charlie Bradshaw estate. (Bradshaw was instrumental in the development of Lake Highland Prep.) We plan to put together and display this plane in the green space at Cady Way to inspire future generations to reach for the stars!
Special thank you to Coach Joe and Blue Dolfin and Florida Institute of Technology swimmer Connor Bryant for transporting the plane. Watch below:
✅ Silent Auction Now Open
As you most likely know, we are raising money to revitalize the Cady Way Pool and the surrounding area.
Our Blue Dolfins Foundation is making this happen for the City, providing 100% of the funding through a mixture of private and corporate funds from well-known community partners. However, more private dollars are needed.
👉 We currently have a silent auction with some fabulous items—you can bid and be a hero to our cause! While the auction is accompanying our fundraising event at Primrose Lanes, you DO NOT have to be present at the event to bid and win an auction item.
📌 Donations are 100% tax-deductible and can be made in almost any form: cash, checks, Venmo, or even stock gifts. Gift some stock before the end of the year and take advantage of the deduction while avoiding those gains!
👉 Contact Anne Gustin for more info about how to arrange this.
Thank you for your excitement about this project and for being a part of the Blue Dolfins family, 50+ Years Strong!
Huge News: Orlando Health Sponsors Cady Way’s New 50m Pool & Aquatic Complex!
We’ve been sitting on a pretty exciting announcement and we FINALLY have the clearance to make it: Orlando Health has come aboard as the presenting sponsor for the Cady Way Revitalization Project!
We're so excited to share this big news! Thanks to Orlando Health’s generous partnership, the upgraded facility will be a true hub for health, wellness, and recreation in our community.
This means we’re a huge step closer to starting construction on our brand-new 50-meter competition pool, which will be called the Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Pool.
And as you know, we’re adding three NCAA/FHSAA competition-level beach volleyball courts, revitalized green spaces, and much-needed modern upgrades to the pool and locker rooms—all while keeping the historic charm of Cady Way intact.
Read the official press release here: https://bluedolfinsfoundation.org/updates/mcsescuhryl8doejz5t8ywexcxqc52
The Timeline
As for the timeline of the project, we’ve got a lot of moving parts and so we’re breaking it into stages to keep track of.
Stage 1: Beach Volleyball Courts
Breaking ground: March 12, 2025
Estimated Completion: March 31, 2025
Here’s what has to happen before we break ground:
Land survey (February 11, 2025)
Ordering pro-quality net and equipment (February)
Aloma Elementary has a big carnival in the space in the first part of March, so once they are through, we start!
Get approval from board to start!
Stage 2: 50m Pool (10 Lanes long course, 22 lanes short course)
This stage includes Pump House, Deck, Fencing, Columns, etc.
Breaking ground: June 1, 2025
Estimated Completion: November 14, 2025
Here’s what has to happen before we break ground:
Land survey (February 11, 2025)
Architectural & Civil Plans (March)
Geotech drilling (TBD, March)
Finish fundraising (We are so close!!)
Stage 3: Updating Current Building
Start Date: October 1, 2025
Estimated Completion: (TBD)
Here’s what has to happen before we start this stage:
Finish fundraising
Stage 4: Historic Green Space
Start Date: August 15, 2025
Estimated Completion: December 15, 2025
Here’s what has to happen before we start this stage:
Finish fundraising
Our goal is to have everything completed and us diving into a new pool by this November 14, 2025, or earlier. With your help we can do this!
Here’s How You Can Help!
Even if you are not in a position financially to help, you can assist in other ways:
Spread word about this project! The more people who are excited, the faster this will get funded.
Let us know of a business, organization, or individual who would be a good fit to make a donation toward this worthy cause. Remember, we are a nonprofit!
Do you know a business who might be willing to make an in-kind donation? We’ve already had very generous offers for concrete, labor, landscaping, countertops, etc. These in-kind donations reduce the fundraising amount. We need more!
Do you have a good fundraiser in mind? We are so grateful for Kelly’s Ice Cream for our recent ice cream night and Barnie’s Coffee just provided coffee for our fundraising booth at this past Saturday’s Track Shack race.
Bowling for Cady Way
Now is a good time to remind you about our BIG fundraiser coming up in February 23 at Primrose Bowling. Tickets are all inclusive for food, drinks, and bowling, and we’ll have a both a live and silent auction with some really great items.
FYI: This is NOT your typical bowling alley! Primrose has a swanky night club feel with two bars and a high end restaurant, so get ready for an amazing night! (Kids are optional—ha!)
Tickets are still available: https://givebutter.com/c/CADYWAYPOOL
We hope you are as excited as we are, and if you have any questions or ideas, let me know! And again, a huge thank you to Orlando Health for helping make this dream a reality!
Press Release: Orlando Health Leads Transformation of Cady Way Pool, Enhancing Community Connection and Wellness
Winter Park, FL – February 10, 2025 – The Winter Park Blue Dolfins Foundation, in collaboration with the City of Winter Park, is proud to announce Orlando Health as the presenting sponsor for the highly anticipated renovation of the iconic Cady Way Pool and its surrounding recreational area.
The addition of Orlando Health’s support marks a significant milestone in the project, further solidifying its role as a cornerstone of community health, wellness, and recreation. The revitalized park is a step forward in creating a top notch facility for Winter Park residents to enjoy for generations to come.
With this generous partnership, the renovation will introduce a new 50-meter competition pool, to be known as the Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Pool. In addition, three NCAA/FHSAA competition-level beach volleyball courts, and revitalized green spaces—all while preserving the facility’s historic charm. Additionally, modern upgrades to the pool and locker rooms will ensure the facility remains a vital resource for families, athletes, and residents for generations to come.
“Partnering with Orlando Health as our main sponsor underscores our shared commitment to health, safety, and the well-being of the Winter Park community,” said Joe Auer, president of the Winter Park Blue Dolfins Foundation. “This partnership will allow us to bring a state-of-the-art aquatic center and beach volleyball facility to life, providing unmatched opportunities for residents to learn water safety, stay active, and connect with one another.”
The current Cady Way Pool holds a storied history, having hosted world-class athletes, including Catie Ball’s 1966 world-record-breaking performance in the 100m breaststroke and 1996 Olympian Jilen Siroky, a former Blue Dolfin. Today, it proudly continues this legacy as the training ground for Lauren Bergquist, a six-time American record holder and international Team USA swimmer for Down Syndrome Swimming.
Founded more than 100 years ago, Orlando Health’s mission is to improve the health and the quality of life of the individuals and communities it serves. This sponsorship highlights its dedication to supporting initiatives that improve community wellness and safety, and encourage active lifestyles across all ages..
“Orlando Health is proud to support the revitalization of Cady Way Pool,” said Ultima Espino, senior director of sports partnerships at Orlando Health. “This facility plays a vital role in drowning prevention, fitness, and family recreation— initiatives that make a positive impact in the community. ”
Currently serving more than 200 families daily, Cady Way Pool offers more than just competitive swimming. Programs include swim lessons for all ages, Special Olympics training, CPR and water safety certifications, police department training, and summer camps, making it an essential community resource. With drowning remaining the leading cause of death for children under age four, the renovated facility will play a critical role in water safety education.
“This project represents a huge step forward for our city,” said Jason Seeley, Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Winter Park. “With the incredible support from Orlando Health and the partnership with the Blue Dolfins Foundation, the new Cady Way Pool will offer unmatched amenities that promote health, fitness, and safety while fostering community pride.”
Once complete, the renovated Cady Way Pool and beach volleyball complex will join Winter Park’s roster of premier athletic facilities, offering residents and visitors an exciting destination for recreation and competitive sports.
See Concept Images: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1_e7jD2bD5B7qnjHo86-DdhiyOuILOGmn?usp=sharing
About Orlando Health
Orlando Health is a private not-for-profit, integrated academic healthcare system with $12 billion of assets under management, that serves the southeastern United States – including Florida and Alabama – and Puerto Rico. With corporate offices in Orlando, Florida the system provides a complete continuum of care across a network of medical centers and institutes, community and specialty hospitals, physician practices, urgent care facilities, skilled nursing facilities, home healthcare, and long-term and behavioral health care services. Founded more than 100 years ago, Orlando Health’s mission is to improve the health and the quality of life of the individuals and communities we serve. The system provided nearly $1.7 billion in community impact in the form of community benefit programs and services, Medicare shortfalls, bad debt, community-building activities and capital investments in FY 23, the most recent period for which the information is available. For more information, visit orlandohealth.com, or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter.)
About the Winter Park Blue Dolfins Foundation
A Winter Park swimming tradition since 1972, the Blue Dolfins Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, promotes health and wellness through swim instruction, summer camps, and facility improvements. The foundation is dedicated to fostering inclusivity and water safety, supporting programs that benefit swimmers of all abilities, while offering scholarships for athletes pursuing higher education.
Learn more: https://www.bluedolfinsfoundation.org
A Game-Changer for Winter Park: New Beach Volleyball Courts Coming to the Cady Way Complex
Winter Park High School District Champions. Image credit: Rachel Seneff.
We’re thrilled to announce a groundbreaking addition to the Cady Way Complex: three state-of-the-art beach volleyball courts! These courts represent more than just a place to play; they’re a leap forward for sports, community, and recreation in Winter Park.
Beach volleyball began in the 1920s on California beaches as a casual game and evolved into a competitive sport by the 1940s. It gained international attention with the FIVB World Tour in 1987 and debuted as an Olympic sport at the 1996 Atlanta Games. Now, it's a global favorite, blending athleticism and strategy, and is played at professional, collegiate, and youth levels.
The First of Their Kind in Winter Park
Beach volleyball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA), with its inclusion as a girl’s sport marking a major milestone. Until now, there have been no competition-level courts for beach volleyball in the Winter Park area. This new facility changes that, putting our city at the forefront of this popular sport.
The Winter Park High School girls’ team is a force to be reckoned with, being an odds-on favorite to win the state championship this coming spring.
College recruiting for beach volleyball is very competitive. To play at the D1 level, players typically have at least four years of high-level club experience. With the addition of these courts, even more high school sudents can join athletes like Wildcat senior Rachel Seneff, who plans to play for LSU:
With these courts, the team will have a home turf to sharpen their skills, host competitions, and inspire future champions. Expectations are high for their future success, and now the stage is set for them to shine even brighter!
A Hub for Competitive Play
These courts are built to the highest standards, featuring dedicated stands, a scoreboard, and the capacity to host high-level competitions. From high school matches to regional tournaments, Winter Park will become a destination for competitive beach volleyball.
Enjoyed by both boys and girls, club play allows for incredible opportunities young athletes to pursue their college, Olympic, and even pro dreams.
Fun for Everyone
Beach volleyball isn’t just about competitions; these courts are about connection and fun. Whether you’re playing a casual game with friends, organizing a family gathering, or hosting a corporate team-building event, these courts will bring people together. The sand, the sun, and the energy of the game make it the perfect backdrop for creating a day of fun.
Managed by the City of Winter Park
To ensure smooth operation and easy access, the City of Winter Park will oversee reservations and use of the courts. This streamlined system will make it simple for residents, teams, clubs, and groups to book the space for practices, games, and special events.
Building Excitement and Community
The addition of these beach volleyball courts isn’t just about sports—it’s about fostering community. It’s about giving residents and visitors a place to come together, whether they’re cheering on the Winter Park High School girls’ team, participating in a pickup game, or simply enjoying the lively atmosphere of a match.
Image credit: Rachel Seneff
Be Part of the Momentum
Winter Park is making history with the Cady Way Complex renovations, and these beach volleyball courts are a key part of the vision. Together, we’re creating a space where athletes can thrive, families can gather, and the community can grow stronger.
Let’s set up the future together. Your donation is 100% tax deductible. What legacy will you help us create?
With the addition of the three beach volleyball courts, new pool, and enhanced green space, Cady Way will once again be one of the premier sports facilities in Central Florida. But it will go far beyond being a training facility—it will also allow for many more community events to be held there.
📌 Although beach volleyball is currently a high school sport for girls in Florida, both boys and girls actively compete through club programs, with aspirations to play at the collegiate, Olympic, and professional levels.
Our Blue Dolfins Foundation is making this happen for the City, providing 100% of the funding through a mixture of private and corporate funds from well-known community partners. However, more private dollars are needed.
📌 Donations are 100% tax-deductible and can be made in almost any form: cash, checks, Venmo, or even stock gifts. Gift some stock before the end of the year and take advantage of the deduction while avoiding those gains!
👉 Contact Anne Gustin for more info about how to arrange this.
Thank you for your excitement about this project and for being a part of the Blue Dolfins family, 50+ Years Strong!
Stay tuned for updates on the courts' progress and upcoming events. Let’s serve up some excitement, Winter Park—these courts are just the beginning!
Diving into 60 Years of Community: The Heart of Cady Way Pool
For over six decades, Cady Way Pool has been more than just a swimming pool; it has been a place where lives are changed, families play, and dreams are launched.
For over six decades, Cady Way Pool has been more than just a swimming pool; it has been a place where lives are changed, families play, dreams are launched, and the community comes together. Beneath the shimmering surface of the water lies a legacy of hope, growth, and resilience—a legacy that we’re determined to preserve and expand for future generations.
This Giving Tuesday, as we look back on the incredible impact of this beloved pool, we are reminded of a few stories in particular that have unfolded here.
Stories like Coaches Joe Auer, Charlie Rose and Kim Schutzmeister Burke who discovered their passion for swimming in these waters, earned a college scholarship, and now coach, inspiring the next generation of swimmers.
Or stories like Winter Park Pines resident, Lisa Dowling, who grew up swimming here at Cady Way Pool. Now she has her three children diving in here, too.
From infant swim lessons, summer swim camp and swim team training, to CPR training and water rescue training for police and firefighters, Cady Way Pool is used continuously throughout the year.
Read on to see some of the many reasons why we are so passionate about this revitalization project.
✅ Special Olympics and Beyond: USA Down Syndrome Swimming
Winter Park High School graduate Lauren Bergquist was introduced swimming when she was only 2 years old as a way to strengthen her lungs after a bout with pneumonia. Lauren was instantly hooked. Training at Cady Way Pool, Lauren has become a superstar in the sport.
Competitive swimming has taken her to competitions all over the world, from Canada to Europe to Australia. She’s won several medals as a representative of the United States and owns 6 American Records.
✅ Swimming: A True Survival Skill
Cady Way Pool is a cornerstone of our community, having taught thousands the life-saving skill of survival in a state filled with pools, lakes, rivers, and surrounded by the ocean. Drowning is the #1 cause of death for children under the age of 4, and hundreds of Floridians drown every year.
We are doing our part to change this statistic. That’s why we wanted to share this story from Annette Snedaker, who had this experience at the beach with her young teenager, Jared:
Annette Snedaker with her son Jared
Yesterday at the beach, we had a big scare. It was a beautiful day and we were there to relax - just like any other beach day. Jared & his best friend went out- about chest high - and began throwing themselves in and over waves.
We were watching. They were playing… Until they weren’t. One was stuck, scared, and asking for help. A riptide had grabbed hold.
A lifeguard recognized the boys were NOT playing. And raced over. She paused. Then stopped. But wouldn’t take her eyes off them. Jared and his friend safely touched foot on sand and had begun exiting the water.
I said anxiously to her, still not realizing they had been caught in a riptide, “That’s my son! Is everything ok? Was it them you were after?”
“Which one is your son - the big one or the little one?”
“The big one.”
“The big one just saved the little one. He pulled him out of a riptide.”
She could see my paralysis as I stood there processing how differently the day could have gone. OMG.
“It happens. It’s ok. They’re ok,” she reassured me. “But if waves are coming in criss cross, assume it’s a rip-tide and stay waist-deep. If feet are touching, you’ll be fine.”
Jared was next to me at this point and I said, “Buddy, do you realize what just happened??”
“I think so. I think I took him out of a riptide? He couldn’t move.”
“Yes, you did. You just quite possibly saved your best friend’s life. It doesn’t always end like that.”
A hundred people die from riptides each year.
I woke up today with an INCREDIBLY thankful heart for my son. I couldn’t stop thinking about how he didn’t think twice - at 14 years of age - to grab his friend’s hand and pull him the heck out of there. I’m sure it took courage. And thank God he feels comfortable in the water thanks to years of swim.
Jared starting swimming at Cady Way pool several years ago, and we are so proud of his efforts!
✅ The Gold Standard of Swimming in the United States of America
For decades, Cady Way Pool has trained athletes for Winter Park High School’s swim team, which has claimed 26 high school state team championships, over a 150 individual event state titles, and over 300 All American swimmers. In addition to accolades, the pool has enabled hundreds of swimmers to attend college on swimming scholarships.
Winter Park High School Hall of Fame member Chris Emig verbalized just how dominant the swim program has been in his Hall of Fame induction speech. It’s worth the listen, and, yes, you will get chills!
✅ The Legacy Continues
Cady Way Pool continues to provide a safe, welcoming space for lessons, training, and recreation. With the addition of a new 50m pool providing additional pool space, the City can provide that many more swim lessons and opportunities for young swimmers. Plus it’s an excellent gathering space for families and the community to connect for the next 60 years—and beyond.
Let’s dive into the future of Cady Way Pool. The stories we’ve shared here are just the beginning. Your donation is 100% tax deductible, so thank you for considering us on Giving Tuesday. What legacy will you help us create?
With the addition of a 50m Myrtha Pool and a total renovation of the existing pool area, Cady Way will once again be one of the premier aquatic facilities in Central Florida. But it will go far beyond being a training facility—it will also allow for many more community events to be held there.
📌 Even more important than athletic greatness is the access to learning to swim, a survival skill that every child should have. When drowning is the number one cause of death for children under age 4, we believe it is essential that ample swim space for lessons be provided.
Our Blue Dolfins Foundation is making this happen with the City through a mixture of private and corporate funding from well-known community partners. However, more private dollars are needed.
📌 Donations are 100% tax-deductible and can be made in almost any form: cash, checks, Venmo, or even stock gifts. Gift some stock before the end of the year and take advantage of the deduction while avoiding those gains!
👉 Contact Anne Gustin for more info about how to arrange this.
Thank you for your excitement about this project and for being a part of the Blue Dolfins family, 50+ Years Strong!
A History of Aquatic Greatness
From Olympic swimmers to World Records, Winter Park has a history of aquatic greatness.
Winter Park has a tradition of aquatic excellence. Our earliest residents swam in the many lakes that dot the area. In the 1800s, Rollins College students would even compete in swimming and diving events in nearby Lake Virginia.
Check out this gallery compliments of the Rollins College Archive:
✅ 1904: Early Olympic Swimming
The swimming at Rollins set the stage for Winter Park’s first Olympic swimmer: Rex Beach. The modern Olympic Games had just been launched, and the third set of Games was held in St. Louis in 1904. Rex competed in the one-mile handicap swimming race and in water polo.
The one-mile handicap swimming race was a type of competitive swimming event popular at that time. Unlike standard races, where all swimmers start at the same time and compete under the same conditions, handicap races were designed to level the playing field by giving slower or less experienced swimmers a time or distance advantage.
Olympian Rex Beach. Credit: Rollins College Blog.
However, the one-mile handicap race was not officially recognized as an Olympic event, and the water polo match was considered an exhibition game. Consequently, despite his participation, Rex did not secure an official Olympic medal.
✅ 1920s: Winter Park & Swimming Pools
Pools were not really needed with the abundance of beautiful, clear lakes; however, Rollins College built one of Winter Park’s earliest pools in the 1920s as part of the Lyman Gymnasium. This facility served the college for many years until the Alfond Swimming Pool was built in 1971, becoming the primary aquatic facility on campus. The Alfond Pool was named after Harold Alfond, a prominent philanthropist and supporter of Rollins College.
Construction on the Alfond Pool, 1971. Credit: Rollins College Archive.
✅ 1957: Cady Way Pool
The City also got into the pool business, starting construction on a community pool at Cady Way in the 1950s. The pool was named after F.W. Cady, who served as mayor of Winter Park from 1928 through 1933. The land for the pool was near the Showalter Airpark and the Dinky Line train. In fact, the pool had to be built at an angle from the road due to the curved route of the Dinky Line.
Top of the aerial photo shows the remains of the Showalter Airpark’s runways and the middle shows the Dinky Line railway curving around the Cady Way Pool. Credit: Orlando Memory
✅ 1966: World Record Set
The new Cady Way Pool was a premier facility at the time and hosted major swim meets. In 1966, swimmer Catie Ball set a world record in the 100m breaststroke at Cady Way Pool. Catie went on to win gold in the 1968 Olympic Games, set 13 world records, hold six American records, and be named “World Breaststroker of the Year” in both 1967 and 1968.
Olympic swimmer Catie Ball. Credit: International Swimming Hall of Fame.
✅ 1996 Olympic Swimming
Winter Park’s Jilen Siroky Bouwer started swimming competitively at age 5 for Coach Harry Meisel, the head coach of the Blue Dolfins. She says, “Coach Meisel watched me and gave me the chance to be part of a team when other coaches wouldn’t.”
That chance paid off just a few years later when Jilen made the U.S. Olympic Swim Team at just 14 years old, becoming the youngest U.S. athlete competing at the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Olympic swimmer Jilen Siroky. Credit: Notre Dame University.
✅ 1980s – Present Day: High School Domination
This long tradition of aquatic activities in Winter Park gave birth to a high school sports tradition that rivals the best. The Winter Park High School boys' and girls' swimming and diving teams have won 26 team state championships and hundreds of individual state titles. Winter Park’s Water Polo teams have similarly dominated the field since being recognized by the FHSAA as a sport.
In addition to state championships, Winter Park High School aquatic sports have enabled hundreds of students to attend college via athletic scholarships.
Winter Park High School coach Joe Auer with the Girls 200 Freestyle Relay team, which won the state championship in 2018.
✅ 2024: American Records Set
Currently, Cady Way Pool is the home training pool for one of Winter Park’s most decorated swimmers ever: Lauren Bergquist.
Lauren competes all over the world, proudly representing Team USA. She holds six American records and is the fastest American to ever swim her T21 events. Lauren swims in the USA Down Syndrome Swimming League and is an incredible role model for all swimmers.
Team USA swimmer Lauren Bergquist. Credit: Leslie Bergquist.
✅ 2025: A New Olympic-sized Pool
After 66 years, Cady Way Park is being revitalized to continue providing an atmosphere where, as 5-year-old Jilen Siroky did, children can dream of Olympic greatness.
With the addition of a 50m Myrtha Pool (the worldwide gold standard) and a total renovation of the existing pool area, Cady Way will once again be one of the premier aquatic facilities in Central Florida. But it will go far beyond being a training facility—it will also allow for many more community events to be held there.
📌 Even more important than athletic greatness is the access to learning to swim, a survival skill that every child should have. When drowning is the number one cause of death for children under age 4, we believe it is essential that ample swim space for lessons be provided.
Our Blue Dolfins Foundation is making this happen with the City through a mixture of private and corporate funding from well-known community partners. However, more private dollars are needed.
📌 Donations are 100% tax-deductible and can be made in almost any form: cash, checks, Venmo, or even stock gifts. Gift some stock before the end of the year and take advantage of the deduction while avoiding those gains!
👉 Contact Anne Gustin for more info about how to arrange this.
Thank you for your excitement about this project and for being a part of the Blue Dolfins family, 50+ Years Strong!
I’ll continue to keep you updated as we go.
Coach Joe
New Cady Way Pool Info👇
An exciting announcement about the Cady Way Revitalization Project: a new 50m pool, three beach volleyball courts, and historic green space.
We’re thrilled to share some exciting news! The Blue Dolfins have partnered with the City of Winter Park in a public-private initiative to transform Cady Way Pool into a state-of-the-art aquatic facility.
Since 1972, the Blue Dolfins have been a proud part of the Winter Park community. For over 50 years, we’ve taught countless children the life-saving skill of swimming while fostering a lifelong love of the water. Beyond that, we’ve helped hundreds of swimmers turn their dreams of collegiate swimming into reality.
Blue Dolfins coaches Joe Auer, Kim Burke, and Charlie Rose (Oviedo) grew up swimming for this team and regard Cady Way as their second home. This revitalization is more than a team project—it’s a deeply personal mission to give back to the place that has shaped so many lives.
Our vision goes beyond creating a state-of-the-art aquatic facility, complete with
🏊♀️New Pool,
🏐Beach Volleyball Courts, and
We aim to honor the rich history and charm of the City while taking a bold step into the future. This project is about preserving what makes Winter Park special while inspiring the next generation of families.
So how does this benefit you?
We’re not going to lie: This is a big project! We’ve got an amazing team of volunteers who are committed to making this happen.
We’ve signed contracts and started the design process to break ground in just a few months. But we will need everyone’s help to make it happen.
So we want to be crystal clear on what we’re doing and how it benefits you and your family.
Click below for a comprehensive guide on the project:
The number one question we are getting right now is “How can I help?”
Read the guide to see just what’s planned
Share the guide with others—get excited this happening!
Become an advocate for the project
Brainstorm any person, business, or organization that might be a good fit to sponsor or donate to the project
Think if there is any in-kind donation you or somebody you know can make
Consider a financial donation—we have lots of meaningful sponsorships available such as a memorial benches, columns, seating, etc.
📌 Contact Anne Gustin for more information on any of the above suggestions.
But most of all, friends, we need your excitement about this project. Thank you for your support and for being a part of the Blue Dolfins family, 50+ Years Strong!
I’ll keep you updated as we go,
Coach Joe
407-937-9129
joe@bluedolfinsfoundation.org