The suburban swim club with a name now arguably synonymous with racism, says it won't back the findings of a state agency's investigation.
"The decision to cease all swim camps at the Valley Swim Club had nothing to do with race," attorneys for the private club said in a statement Wednesday.
The reaction came the day after an attorney for one family of day campers released a "probable cause" finding by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission -- reason to believe that claims of discrimination against the club are credible.
69 people filed complaints against the private swim club after a group of day campers who were mostly black, were asked not to return to the club. They'd paid nearly $2,000 to swim once a week at the outdoor pool.
The Huntington Valley club has said all along that safety was the reason the swim events stopped for the Creative Steps Day Camp and two other camps.
The PHRC investigation outlines a scenario that started with good intentions and where questions about safety were raised, then turned ugly when one of the members -- a teacher who works at the same school some of the kids attend -- allegedly made racial remarks overhead by a camper. The teacher denied saying anything offensive, according to the PHRC. She later emailed other club members explaining how upset she was when the kids came to the pool because while it is a community pool, "this is not the community where these kids live."
"Because we believe a full and thorough review of the will not support the PHRC's findings, the Valley Swim Club plans to appeal the recommendation," the swim club's statement said. But an appeal is not possible at this point in the process, according to Shannon Law, Communications Director for the PHRC.
"Now the law requires them [both sides] to try to settle voluntarily at which point the settlement would be legally binding." Law said. The agency's findings and recommendation are the first phase of the investigation into claims that the campers' state civil rights were violated. If the families and swim club can't settle this on their own, the next step would be public hearings for both parties. Final recommendations would come after the public hearings and only at that point could either side appeal.
The club's statement says the commission had no choice but to find probable cause in its investigation due to "the media and political firestorm" surrounding the case.
"The Valley Swim Club did not discriminate against the Creative Steps Day Camp. The Valley Swim Club and its members look forward to the opportunity to tell their side of the story and to share actual facts regarding their decision. We will continue to work towards a fair resolution for all parties involved by focusing on the best solution for the children of the camp."
