Groups to Share $65,000 in Swim Club Settlement

Black children had their swimming privileges canceled in infamous 2009 incident.

Can’t believe it’s been five years already: You might remember the once-infamous story of The Valley Swim Club, which in 2009 canceled the swimming privileges of a nearby day care center whose clients were mostly black  — sparking charges and denials of racism, and drawing national attention.

The club is now defunct, but the fallout continues. Officials announced this week that a half-dozen area youth groups will share in a $65,000 settlement stemming from a Justice Department investigation that concluded the club had been racially hostile to minority children in the incident.

AP reports that the money is part of a $1.1 million court settlement involving the now-closed club in Huntington Valley. More than 70 campers and counselors who filed suit will share the rest of the settlement. Groups such as the Boys and Girls Clubs of Philadelphia and the Police Athletic League of Philadelphia will share in the $65,000 set-aside.