For years, Susanville residents wanted two amenities, a public park and a municipal swimming pool. While there was a greater Susanville, the Milwood Tract and the Lassen Lumber district, they were outside the city’s boundaries and county was reluctant to provide basic services, let alone contribute a park or pool.
It was Frank O’Kelly who worked diligently for a municipal swimming pool. It should be noted he operated Lassen Dairy on property leased from Fruit Growers, north of town, which is now known Susanville Ranch Park. In 1934 O’Kelly approached the City to convert the Fruit Growers ranch property into a recreational facility. It would include a swimming pool, golf course, picnic area and playgrounds. Since Bagwell Springs was located on the property, there was ample water supply. The Susanville Rotary Club liked the idea and passed a resolution for the park’s development. Construction of the facilities could be done with labor from the State Emergency Relief Administration (SERA) crew. There was one problem with the proposal. Fruit Growers owned the property and it was not interested in leasing or donating.
O’Kelly, undaunted by that setback continued with his quest for a community pool. It was finally suggested to submit this project to the Works Projects Administration (WPA). In January 1936, City Engineer, Harry S. Riddell was instructed to draft plans for the WPA for a municipal pool. The WPA approved the project with an estimated cost of $28,433. It was decided to construct the pool behind Roosevelt Elementary School on Richmond Road. On October 30, 1936, groundbreaking ceremonies were held. It would take longer than the 1937 date anticipated for completion, due to the lack of eligible WPA workers. The Roosevelt Pool officially opened on April 17, 1938. Many years later. on December 22,2004, the City condemned it, due to structural concerns about the building it was demolished in 2015.