Friday May 9th, 2008
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About
The first Alfred Corning Clark Gymnasium opened in Cooperstown in 1891. Alfred Clark, a wealthy, civic-minded community member wanted to provide Cooperstown with a place for year round recreation. Membership at the ACC Gym cost $3 to $6 per year for adults and surprisingly for the times, women were encouraged to join as full participants. The facility proved to be an instant success.
In May 1929, the original gymnasium was demolished and a new one begun. The building, in much the form that it still appears on Main Street, opened fourteen months after ground breaking.
In 1983 The Clark Foundation announced its intent to build a larger facility on land donated by Stephen C. Clark, Jr. one-half mile south of the Village. The new facility represents a significant expansion of staff, equipment, programs, operating hours and services. Creative planning went into every detail: from the exercise equipment, to the climbing walls and Outward Bound Challenge Course. The Clark Sports Center now features a large gym floor, swimming and diving pools, indoor track, racquetball and squash courts, locker rooms, conference room, saunas, extensive playing fields, eight bowling lanes, tennis courts, sand volleyball, fitness center and aerobics room.
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