Moraga Valley Swim & Tennis
About MVP >
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Facilities & Amenities
Club
Moraga Valley Swim & Tennis Club membership consists of 300 families. We are members of the
Orinda Moraga Pool Association, the US Aquatics Council, and the US Tennis Association. Our
head coaches are all certified members of their respective organizations. Additionally, all our
coaches are CPR certified.
Board
Moraga Valley Swim and Tennis Club has a Board of Directors who are elected for two year terms.
They are responsible for the overall financial and general operation of the Club. We have a Swim
Team Committee and a Tennis Committee, each of which serves its specific program,
recommends the hiring of the head coach, has its own operating budget and makes general
operational suggestions to the Board. Moraga Valley Swim and Tennis Club also has 3 managers
who manage the pool and tennis areas and the lifeguards.
History
In the years following WWII, 55 homes were built along either end of Ivy Drive. Young families,
mostly veterans, bought their homes with some help from the GI Bill for about $17,000. The
neighborhoods were known as "Upper Ivy" and "Lower Ivy" and the land between consisted of Pear
Orchards owned by the Utah Construction Company (UCC). The UCC intended to build a light
industrial complex on the orchards-an idea the homeowners vehemently opposed at every County
Planning meeting. In an attempt to win over the homeowners the UCC sold them a parcel of land
for about $10,000 (about $20,000 under market at the time).
Seven neighbors decided to build a swim club on the land and they set to work recruiting the 300
original members-some who are still members today. Those original memberships cost $300
which covered the cost of the land and the additional $80,000 necessary to build the pools and
facilities. While part of the original design, the tennis courts were not added until the early 1970's.
Early plans called for the pool to be an "L" shape, but the shallow end was added to accommodate
all the young children and the pool took on it's current "Z" shape. In the early years there was a
slide and a diving board in the deep end, but even in the pre-litigous 50's they could see that was a
bad idea and the slide was removed. Landscaping took advantage of the bowl shape the hill
created for two reasons. A poll of the new members revealed the desire for plenty of room to "sun
bathe". Secondly, the original Engineer was a CAL grad and he took the idea from the shape of the
Greek Theatre, thinking it would give plenty of space for people to relax while still being able to see
the pool. Construction of the pool and it's facilities were completed in under a year.
Moraga Valley Pool had a swim team it's very first year. In those days, dual meets lasted about two
hours, with one timer per lane and no food (or candy!) sales. The MVP swim team quickly became
a powerhouse. Early coaching staffs included John and Bob Savage, Larry Meyer, Phil Bush, Rick
Dawson, Chris Coran, Randy Warner, Russ Lindgren (father of the much loved date night) and
Pool Managers Bruce Little and Stan Oberg. Moraga Valley Pool (not yet the Marlins) won their first
"All Orinda" in 1969. It took a while but MVP was able to reclaim the win in 1977, took second in
1978 and third in 1979-all under the direction of Head Coach Stu Kahn. Notable swimmers
throughout the years have included Olympians Drew McDonald, Heather Petri and Matt Biondi as
well as Counting Crows lead guitarist David Bryson!
Fast-forward a few decades and here are your Marlins-proudly led by Head Coach Kevin Lai. In
just three seasons Kevin and his wonderful, devoted staff have grown the Marlins from fewer than
100 swimmers to our current team of more than 200 eager Age Group Swimmers and Mini
Marlins. Can we return to MVP's former glory? We sure try! We have won "Most Improved Team"
three years running at OMPA and ended up a most impressive 5th place in 2006! With
enthusiasm, determination and commitment our swimmers work hard to improve their strokes
and pop their times. Swimmers and parents alike choose to make MVP a huge part of their
summer and wouldn't have it any other way. Together we all make new friends, laugh really hard
and enjoy every moment of the experience known as MORAGA VALLEY POOL SWIM TEAM!
- Pool Area (open April through October)
- 25 yard long swimming pool with 6 lanes a diving board area and a sizeable
shallow play area - Baby pool surrounded by generous seating & sun umbrellas for parents
- Large lawn areas for picnics and play
- Sport court available for basketball, volleyball, etc.
- Men's & Women's locker rooms
- Tennis Area (open year round)
- 4 courts (two upper and two lower courts)
- Observation deck overlooking both the lower courts and the pool area
Club
Moraga Valley Swim & Tennis Club membership consists of 300 families. We are members of the
Orinda Moraga Pool Association, the US Aquatics Council, and the US Tennis Association. Our
head coaches are all certified members of their respective organizations. Additionally, all our
coaches are CPR certified.
Board
Moraga Valley Swim and Tennis Club has a Board of Directors who are elected for two year terms.
They are responsible for the overall financial and general operation of the Club. We have a Swim
Team Committee and a Tennis Committee, each of which serves its specific program,
recommends the hiring of the head coach, has its own operating budget and makes general
operational suggestions to the Board. Moraga Valley Swim and Tennis Club also has 3 managers
who manage the pool and tennis areas and the lifeguards.
History
In the years following WWII, 55 homes were built along either end of Ivy Drive. Young families,
mostly veterans, bought their homes with some help from the GI Bill for about $17,000. The
neighborhoods were known as "Upper Ivy" and "Lower Ivy" and the land between consisted of Pear
Orchards owned by the Utah Construction Company (UCC). The UCC intended to build a light
industrial complex on the orchards-an idea the homeowners vehemently opposed at every County
Planning meeting. In an attempt to win over the homeowners the UCC sold them a parcel of land
for about $10,000 (about $20,000 under market at the time).
Seven neighbors decided to build a swim club on the land and they set to work recruiting the 300
original members-some who are still members today. Those original memberships cost $300
which covered the cost of the land and the additional $80,000 necessary to build the pools and
facilities. While part of the original design, the tennis courts were not added until the early 1970's.
Early plans called for the pool to be an "L" shape, but the shallow end was added to accommodate
all the young children and the pool took on it's current "Z" shape. In the early years there was a
slide and a diving board in the deep end, but even in the pre-litigous 50's they could see that was a
bad idea and the slide was removed. Landscaping took advantage of the bowl shape the hill
created for two reasons. A poll of the new members revealed the desire for plenty of room to "sun
bathe". Secondly, the original Engineer was a CAL grad and he took the idea from the shape of the
Greek Theatre, thinking it would give plenty of space for people to relax while still being able to see
the pool. Construction of the pool and it's facilities were completed in under a year.
Moraga Valley Pool had a swim team it's very first year. In those days, dual meets lasted about two
hours, with one timer per lane and no food (or candy!) sales. The MVP swim team quickly became
a powerhouse. Early coaching staffs included John and Bob Savage, Larry Meyer, Phil Bush, Rick
Dawson, Chris Coran, Randy Warner, Russ Lindgren (father of the much loved date night) and
Pool Managers Bruce Little and Stan Oberg. Moraga Valley Pool (not yet the Marlins) won their first
"All Orinda" in 1969. It took a while but MVP was able to reclaim the win in 1977, took second in
1978 and third in 1979-all under the direction of Head Coach Stu Kahn. Notable swimmers
throughout the years have included Olympians Drew McDonald, Heather Petri and Matt Biondi as
well as Counting Crows lead guitarist David Bryson!
Fast-forward a few decades and here are your Marlins-proudly led by Head Coach Kevin Lai. In
just three seasons Kevin and his wonderful, devoted staff have grown the Marlins from fewer than
100 swimmers to our current team of more than 200 eager Age Group Swimmers and Mini
Marlins. Can we return to MVP's former glory? We sure try! We have won "Most Improved Team"
three years running at OMPA and ended up a most impressive 5th place in 2006! With
enthusiasm, determination and commitment our swimmers work hard to improve their strokes
and pop their times. Swimmers and parents alike choose to make MVP a huge part of their
summer and wouldn't have it any other way. Together we all make new friends, laugh really hard
and enjoy every moment of the experience known as MORAGA VALLEY POOL SWIM TEAM!