Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/1307125
NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2020 35 In the post-war days of the 1950s, social activities flourished at the WAC. Buffets, summer picnics, holiday celebrations, and performances of all kinds brought families together at the Club like never before. Bursting at the seams, the WAC was in desperate need of more space to accommodate grow- ing membership. In 1953, the Club began renovations and construction that involved major remodeling on the first four floors as well as the addition of a four-story south Clubhouse. The wildly colorful Rio Room opened on the 2nd Floor in 1961. The 1970s added eight more stories atop the south Clubhouse. This growth spurt included the 8th Floor gym and running track, sports courts, new space for women's fitness, expansion of the Inn at the WAC, and three Czechoslovakian chandeliers in the Crystal Ballroom. The goals and spirit of the Club re- mained, with a robust membership and outstanding Olympic-level athletes. Sibling pairs figure skaters Karol and Peter Kennedy won silver at the 1952 Oslo Games. Nancy Ramey swam to sil- ver in the 1956 Melbourne Games. And runner Doris Brown placed fifth in the 1968 Mexico City Games. Another Club milestone came in 1978, when women moved beyond "associate membership" and received full membership rights. 1950s, 1960s & 1970s G R O W T H I N T H E G O L D E N A G E The south Clubhouse grows