Our Mission and History
Biddeford Pool Community Center’s Mission
To promote the social and general welfare of the inhabitants of the Biddeford Pool area in Biddeford, Maine, while fostering assistance (educational and /or charitable) to persons in need.
Biddeford Pool Community Center’s History
The Biddeford Pool Community Center (BPCC), formerly known as the Biddeford Pool Community Club, has a long and vibrant history. The mission and values that the Center serves today have existed since its founding in 1937. From its Temperance origins to the 2015 decision of the membership to change the name of the organization, the Center has provided a place for community gathering and served as a resource for many people in the area.
By the mid 1800’s, the Temperance movement, whose members pledged to abstain from alcohol, had grown in number and influence since its beginnings in Boston some 30 years earlier. Maine became the first state to ban alcohol in 1851, and for the next eighty years temperance meetings were held throughout the state. For this purpose, the Maine Order of Good Templar’s raised the original building in Biddeford Pool on land donated by the late Nathaniel Davis in the 1870’s and named it Atlantic Hall #99. Articles from an 1878 report on annual temperance gatherings in the Camp Ellis area explained that people were often ferried across the Saco River to the “Hall” in Biddeford Pool for meetings. As an interesting aside it is rumored that St Martins Episcopal Church which is now located on St. Martins Lane held their services at Atlantic Hall #99 in their early years. I have no idea how that happened as they were not known as teetotalers and surly did not sign any pledges to Temperance. Maybe this type of accommodation by the local Templar’s is just an example of their sense of community which shows itself again after prohibition ends.
In 1934 Prohibition ended in the United States and the Good Templar’s no longer required the building for meetings. However, many of the members of Atlantic Hall recognized the benefit of maintaining the “Hall” as a place for the growing local population to gather, so the members made plans to re-purpose the building. In 1937, the Biddeford Pool Community Club was established, and Atlantic Hall #99 was renamed during the club’s very first board meeting. The Maine Order of Good Templar’s relinquished all rights to the property with the stipulation that the club assume any debts associated with Atlantic Hall #99. Even though prohibition had ended, an amendment was proposed and accepted by the new board that stated, “alcoholic beverages not to be distributed at any club activities as requested by the past officers and members of Atlantic Hall” (overruled in a court case with the Good Templar’s in 1990). It was also agreed to begin renting the building for public use for “four dollars per evening”. Within a month of the first board meeting The Biddeford Pool Community Club was incorporated, which began a new life for the old building.
After the agreements were finalized, the fledgling Club began fulfilling its mission as a resource for the local community. By the late 1930’s, books were collected to start a small library for area residents. During the Second World War, the Club purchased war bonds, held Christmas parties for soldiers stationed at the Pool, and allowed the troops use of their property. In the early ’60’s, the Club established its first educational scholarship as an annual donation for students graduating from Biddeford High School. In 1992, the educational fund was renamed the Joan Beaudry Memorial Education Fund, in memory of one of the Club’s beloved members. Today, the Joan Beaudry Memorial Education Fund remains the flagship effort for the Center’s mission.
Even though the mission and philosophy of the Center has remained since its inception, the building itself, has undergone much change and has even been at risk of being sold. For example, the part of the property that makes up the fenced side yard, which was purchased for $450.00 in 1945, served as a parking lot for some time. In the 1970’s the membership believed the Club was no longer viable and proposed selling the property. Fortunately, and thanks in great part to the efforts of teenagers in the community, money was raised to maintain interest and ownership of the building. Throughout the 1980’s the status of the building was challenged by code violations and some individuals who did not approve of the use, or lack-there-of, of the building. Again, the local residents rallied, collected money, and implemented the improvements that saved the building. The rest, as they say, is history.
BPCC’s establishment and history of service to the community is the result of the dedication and creativity of past and present members. With the continued ideas, efforts, and financial backing of the community, the Biddeford Pool Community Center will be able to serve as a place for folks to come together and benefit their community for many years to come.
Building Timeline:
2000 – 2nd floor addition was added above the first-floor stage which created the second-floor library. That same year the 2nd floor fire escape was added.
2004 – Chair lift to the 2nd floor was installed.
2016 – 1st BPCC website was created
2016 – 1st floor library was created out of the space that the stage occupied. A new propane gas furnace was also installed at this time. BP Builders were the contractors.
2016 – Moose visit to Biddeford Pool Yacht club. https://richardlevy.smugmug.com/Maine/Moose-in-Biddeford-Pool-2016
2016 – Biddeford Pool celebrated its 400th anniversary during the July 4th Parade. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roeliFr4XbE
2017 – May 12 new signage was installed by Gepetto Signs & Graphics officially changing the name of the Biddeford Pool Community Club to Biddeford Pool Community Center.
2017 – July 20 new first floor library dedicated to Leisa Crane and was named “Leisa’s Place”.
2017 – William “Bill” Day who passed away February 12, 2017, was a long-time member of the Biddeford Pool community. In his memory, his daughter Heather Day, had loaned a painting of her father’s boat the “Bessie D” to the Biddeford Pool Community Center. The 1993 painting by Peter Lindsay, shows the boat passing the Wood Island Light running in full “tuna gear”. It is Heathers intention that the painting be on display “for all to enjoy a bit of real, hardworking, from the ground-up. history”. This painting can be viewed in the second-floor hall.
2018 – July 6, 2nd floor sliding door closet was built. “Build it and they will come” was the rallying cry for this space. July 8th it was full.
2019 – 1st floor bathroom was created out of the space 2 bathrooms occupied. The contractor was Brady Construction.
2019 – September26, Ceiling Mounted Optoma projector and Da-lite 137” diagonal screen was purchased for the second-floor hall.
2021 – property survey
2022 – Side yard statue of “Our Forebears of the Coast” was donated by Frank Hanlon’s family. Frank is a famous artist that lived next door to the Center in the 30’s. It is a duplicate of a 9’ tall bronze statue he sculpted in 1995 which resides in Kennebunkport’s Village Green.
2023 – Universal Access Porch was designed by Chris Carroll and built by Hussey and Sons after a very generous anonymous donation was made to BPCC. The donation made possible the chair lift with side yard porch, both front decks and repair work needed on the north side of the building. The chair lift came from Maine Accessibility Corporation out of Portland.
2024 – 2nd projector was installed, Protech Projection Systems recommended an Epson Powerlite L520U WUXGA Laser Projector.
2024 – The entire building was painted by Top Rung Painting
2024 – 2nd BPCC website was installed with management software.
Future Building Repairs to Consider:
Brick chimney should be dismantled to below roof level when a new roof is required as it is not in service any longer.
Second floor fire escape staircase should be considered a medium need.