A privately owned pool in Wendell that came under fire earlier this month for banning dreadlocks, weaves, and baggy clothes will be closing later this year, multiple news outlets reported.
As the INDY reported earlier this month, the Outdoor Recreation Center of Wendell published rules on June 7 to its Facebook page stating “no baggy pants, dread-locks/weaves/extensions or revealing clothes will be permitted or you will be asked to leave.”
The post garnered over a thousand comments on social media criticizing the pool for targeting African Americans. The owners, John and Teresa Freeman, denied that the rules were racially motivated. That might have been more plausible had a post on Teresa Freeman’s personal Facebook page included a meme with a picture of the Confederate flag, stating this “This does not offend me,” followed by a picture of two men with baggy pants with the words, “This bullshit does.”
ABC11 reported Thursday that the owners will be closing the pool after Labor Day and plan to retire.
“To Our ORC Family: Johnny turns 65 in January, therefore, we have decided to retire and spend more time with our family,” the owners wrote in a statement. “Regretfully, after this season, we will be closing ORC after Monday, Labor Day. All of you will be greatly missed as we have watched your children grow up. Thank you for all the support through the last 6 years. With love and much appreciation!”
Contact staff writer Leigh Tauss at ltauss@indyweek.com.
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