A history of the Ukrainian National Association's Soyuzivka resort (08/04/02)

A history of the Ukrainian National Association's Soyuzivka resort

The article below is reprinted (with some minor changes) from the Jubilee Almanac on the Occasion of the 75th Anniversary of the Ukrainian National Association (Jersey City, N.J.: Svoboda Press, 1969). The author at the time was a co-manager of Soyuzivka with the late Walter Kwas.

by Daniel Slobodian

How did the Ukrainian National Association happen to buy Soyuzivka? Several UNA conventions discussed the issue and finally ordered the UNA executive to buy a home for the aged. The executive traveled many miles looking over many places which were for sale in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York. Finally, when they saw the estate owned by the heirs of Dr. Foord in Kerhonkson, for the first time there was unanimity; all executives were impressed with the possibilities of this site not only as a place for the aged to stay but as a resort from which all UNA members could benefit.

Dr. Foord operated a private sanatorium for patients who were recuperating from operations or who took the rest cure which was fashionable in that day. He catered to a selective clientele, the so-called "carriage trade," who were listed in the Blue Book or the Social Register, or were sent by doctors. Even in those days, when money had more value than today, patrons paid $20 a day plus other fees, including those for private nurses, consultations, medications, etc.

So, in 1952 Soyuzivka was purchased for the sum of $70,000. Since there was not enough time to get the place ready for operation, the Plast Ukrainian Youth Organization was allowed to use one building and the grounds as a camp the first summer. Major renovations had to be made. A kitchen and dining room had to be built and, steel beams and girders were installed in the Main House. In 1953 a grand opening ceremony attended by thousands opened this resort to vacationers.

It was not an instant success. Our newly arrived immigrants were just establishing themselves, seeking new jobs in a new country, and simply could not yet afford a vacation anywhere no matter how reasonable. Among the older immigrants, many of whom had never taken a vacation in their lives, some started taking a vacation for the first time. But the youth started coming every weekend. No one demanded luxurious rooms. Dormitory rooms and rooms with bathrooms on one floor had first priority because they were reasonable in price.

Soyuzivka expanded its holdings when, upon the death of Mrs. Foord, her house with the land was purchased. More renovations had to be made to transform the rooms so as to be suitable for hotel occupancy.

During a regular annual meeting of the UNA Supreme Assembly at Soyuzivka, a phone call was received that our neighbors were selling their house because the husband was being transferred to manage a factory elsewhere. The executive looked the property over and empowered the executive officers to negotiate to purchase this property, which was to become Camp Lviv. The ranch-style private home (101 feet in length) was changed to accommodate children, a dining room was built, as were a kitchen and a swimming pool.

Now at last we had a summer camp for boys and girls.

The Ukrainian courses, which started in the second year of Soyuzivka's existence, also had a place to function.

At first the courses were attended mostly by students in college. The Ukrainian Youth League of North America sent teachers to instruct Ukrainian dancing, and for several years banduras were made and the girls learned cross-stitching.

The courses are still popular, though the age of the students attending is younger. In three and a half short weeks one would be amazed how much Ukrainian history, literature, art and language is learned by these students.

Each year business improved, despite the lack of some facilities. The swimming pool at that time was little more than an oversized bathtub about 25 feet wide, 50 feet long. Dancing was inside the old clubhouse, and the bar was in a room not much larger than one of our guest rooms. Then the managers made a bold decision. On their own, they had a small dance floor, 40 feet in radius, built outdoors. It was a success - the dancers loved it. But the executives did not. When they saw very few people in the bar they told the managers, "You have ruined our business, you must tear down the platform first thing Monday morning!"

The cash registers, however, told a different story, which made the executives change their minds. In fact, the dance floor attracted more people every week. It became so successful that the following year it was torn down to build an outdoor platform three times as large. This platform lasted seven years, when it was realized that when it rained people had no place to dance, then the recreation hall (Veselka) was built.

Customers are the bosses in any business. Their likes and demands have to be catered to, especially in the hotel business. They still like dancing outdoors under the stars and the new recreation hall features dancing outdoors on a special composition floor laid on the roof, while the entertainment programs are held inside.

Another milestone in progress was made when the old pool was torn down and a new steel pool was constructed. This pool was constructed by Soyuzivka's own helpers, plus a few hired craftsmen. The L shape was chosen because it was safe in that the diving area was separate from the swimming area. A spacious deck area was provided, since studies show that pool-goers spend 90 percent of their time out of the water. The deck area, of course, added appreciably to the cost, but it is well appreciated by all who use it.

In the first three years one clay court was adequate, but our youth demanded more and they got it. Soyuzivka's land was hilly and it was a big job to create level areas. Bulldozers cut and filled much as they could and more fill had to be trucked in. Today Soyuzivka boasts five tennis courts, which is more than many hotels have that are seven times its size.

At the same time fill was trucked in to make a soccer and softball field. All this was done for the benefit of our youth, and our youth are the biggest champions of Soyuzivka.

Soyuzivka suffered and is still suffering from growing pains. More people - more facilities. More water was being consumed. A steel tank capable of storing 400,000 gallons of water had to be erected, wells had to be drilled, new pipelines laid, roads had to be paved; the resort needed more sewage facilities, larger electrical services and more parking areas. Though these problems are partially solved, there is a need for further development.

Our members are demanding more rooms, since Soyuzivka is not able to accommodate all who wish to stay here be it in the summer or weekends after the season.

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