FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:   Brie Turek (407) 246-3106
Cheryl Henry (407) 246-3582

CITY OF ORLANDO MAKES A SPLASH WITH THE
OPENING OF STATE-OF-THE-ART POOL

Mayor Buddy Dyer Hosts First Open Swim At Dr. James R. Smith Neighborhood Center

WHAT: This Friday, May 6, 2005, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, the City of Orlando’s Families, Parks and Recreation Department, and District 6 Commissioner Mayor Ernest Page will officially open the new Dr. James R. Smith Neighborhood Center Pool.

The state-of-the-art swimming pool – the third of 12 City community center projects to be completed this year – features 6 lanes of lap swimming, interactive water features, a slide and zero depth entry. Local citizens of all ages will help Mayor Dyer and community leaders kick-off the grand opening for the first open-swim at this new pool.

After the grand opening event this Friday, the pool will resume regular hours of operation effective June 6, 2005:
· Monday – Friday 1:15 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
· Saturday and Sunday 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Public swim sessions are free for City residents and $4.00 per person for non-City residents.

The Dr. James R. Smith Neighborhood Center and Pool is named after the late Dr. James R. Smith, a prominent physician who became the first black physician in Orlando to establish a maternity clinic for black women. Additionally, Dr. Smith was one of the founders of the Washington Shores Federal Savings and Loans bank; the first establishment in the State of Florida founded and operated entirely by African Americans, which is now known as Metro Savings Bank.

For more information about the new pool, please log on to www.cityoforlando.net or call the Dr. James R. Smith Neighborhood Center at (407) 291-7308.

WHO: Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer
District 6 Commissioner Mayor Ernest Page
The Citizens of Orlando

WHEN: Friday, May 6, 2005
5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

WHERE: Dr. James R. Smith Neighborhood Center
1723 Bruton Boulevard

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