Grassroots Effort Saves Fort Washington Swim And Tennis Club

AMBLER, PA — A summer tradition will continue this year after 20 local families banded together to purchase a local athletic club to save it from redevelopment.

The Fort Washington Swim and Tennis Club was all set to be sold last summer to local developer John Westrum, of the Westrum Development Company. Westrum and Club owner Drew Sunderlin announced the deal, which they said had been pending due to an agreement made 30 years ago.

However, within weeks of announcing the deal, club members swiftly put together a grassroots movement to save the pool. The effort was led by local residents Harm Scherpbier and Ginny Cair Vitella. Together, along with 20 other families, they raised the $400,000 needed to purchase the pool from Sunderlin themselves.

As for the pending deal, Westrum, who has connections to the club, said he didn't want to get in the way and fully supported the community effort.

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“They were very passionate about what they wanted to do,” Westrum said in a statement. “I decided to allow them to buy the club from Drew and lease them the parking lot for a small amount of rent…it’s a community-based intention I didn’t want to get in the way of. Rather than taking something away, I would be part of something good for the community. It’s really a good example of community, a business person, and a long-standing family relationship that had to have the alignment of stars.”

The club, located at 1003 Farm Lane, serves as the home of the Fort Washington Sharks Swim Team. It's also become a deeply ingrained part of the community for families. Tennis lessons and leagues, pickleball, a diving well, baby pool, and snack bar are just some of the amenities of the club.

“I really can't imagine growing up without being at the fort," said swimmer and diver Drew Johnson, who grew up swimming at the club. "First as a swimmer and diver, then as a lifeguard I always knew I was going to have fun and learn something new from people that really cared about what they were doing and the people around them.”

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