In Northwest, everyone out of the pool

Bathing suits, flips-flops and warm, sunny days at the pool are now just a distant memory. But a small group of Northwest residents said their final goodbye Sunday to what for them was the last day of an endless summer.

The Hilton Washington closed its outdoor pool for the season - and forever. Developers are proceeding with plans put a condominium tower in its place.

“I will miss it terribly,” said Nadine Cahodas. “I don’t know where I will go. I probably won’t swim. … There was something about swimming outdoors that was special.”

Miss Cahodas is the among dozens of lap swimmers, sun god and goddesses, and stroller-pushing mothers in an almost-state of mourning - now that month after month of poolside rumor has finally become a reality.

In May 2007, Lowe Enterprises and the Canyon-Johnson Urban Fund, a joint venture between Canyon Capital Reality Advisors and basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson, purchased the hotel for $290 million.

The pool opened on Independence Day in 1965 under a clear sky and a high temperature of 88 degrees - weather only slightly better than the 70 degree temperatures Sunday when pool members gathered for a final swim and farewell party.

“I swam in this pool with every child I’ve loved in my life,” said Doria Howe, 60, and a member for 20 years.

Beyond the uniqueness of the pool - an urban oasis in the summer, shelter from the heat and noise of Connecticut Avenue Northwest by magnolia trees and a sprawling terrace, residents say it also was a community gathering place.

“It was the closest thing I got to a country club,” said retired schoolteacher Claire Saret, 50, who belonged to the pool for the past 12 years.

The heated pool was open from about 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. six months a year (while most other public pools stayed open only from Memorial Day to Labor Day.)

“In the summer usually, one-third or half [of those at the pool] would be neighborhood people,” said Max Pulgar-Vidal, a banker who has been a member for nearly 26 years. “Over the years, we have had many friends there…. It was a nice feature of the neighborhood.”

Everybody seemed to have their own fond memory - from splashing with the toddlers to watching the endless and ever-changing flow of international travelers, stewardesses and other hotel guests.

“I loved coming here and reading,” said Joan Ludlow, another longtime member. “I swim, then I look forward to reading after. I was here last summer and I read a hundred books on the lawn.”

Mr. Pulgar-Vidal said the controversial writer and economist Jeremy Rifkin was once a member.

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