The Beachcomber Swim Club (the “Club”) was opened in 1956 as a family oriented recreational facility targeting membership for families from local communities such as Cheltenham, Oak Lane and Abington.  The Club was founded by John Bernheimer and was operated by the Beachcomber Board which was made up of a group of his neighbors from Cheltenham to create a self-contained social environment for families looking for a broad range of outdoor activities.  Most early members felt they were “coming out to the country” when visiting the Club.

 

In the 1960’s, the Club boasted

membership in excess of 500

families and there was a waiting

list for membership.  On any given

Saturday or Sunday in the summer,

there would be between 1,200 to

1,500 people enjoying the Club’s

facilities and participating in the

Club’s organized activities. 

Membership remained strong

through the 1970’s but the 1980’s

and 1990’s would result in

decreased membership for the

Club resulting from changes in the

economy and a decline in the

popularity of local beach clubs.

 

In 2008, Bob Berardelli purchased

the Club and began an extensive renovation of the facilities to attract new membership.  However, Bob was no stranger to the Club.  Bob began his relationship with the Club in 1957 as a lifeguard.  At the time, Bob was a junior at Norristown High School.  After two seasons as a lifeguard, Bob was promoted to head lifeguard and then enrolled at West Chester University, where he was a Health and Physical Education major.  While in college, Bob continued to work at the Club each summer as the Assistant Manager for the facility.  Upon graduating from college in 1963, the Club promoted Bob to Manager.  Bob retained a strong and meaningful relationship with the Club until he became its owner in 2008.

 

In 2016, after continued declines in membership, Bob Berardelli decided to close the Club and sell the property. 

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In 2016, members of Envision Land Use and Summit Realty Advisors began working with Bob Berardelli on potential redevelopment plans for the Beachcomber property.  The property was located in Whitpain Township and the underlying zoning for the property was P-R, Parks and Recreation District and the permitted uses were very limited.  In working on various development plans with Whitpain Township, Envision Land and Summit Realty were able to get the Township to determine their P-R Zoning District was invalid due to the limited permitted uses and the Beachcomber property was rezoned to R-3B permitting low density townhouse development on the property.  Envision Land and Summit Realty are currently working to secure development approvals for a 31 unit carriage home development on the property.  Municipal approvals are anticipated to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2019.