Solomon Calhoun Community Center

Amenities
  • community center icon
  • weight exercise room icon
  • meeting icon
  • splash pad icon

About the Center

The Solomon Calhoun Center is a 24,000 square-foot community center located within walking distance of many residents of West Augustine.

Amenities

  • Full-size gymnasium
  • Swimming pool
  • Splash park
  • Community rooms
  • Sports fields 
aquatics / Pool

YMCA Administrative Office
(904) 471-9622 or staugaquatics@gmail.com
Solomon Calhoun Pool: (904) 824-6770
Pool / Weather Hotline: (904) 209-0380

Aquatics & Pool

Masters Swim
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 6 a.m.
We are inviting 18 and older swimmers to get a swim training workout! Workouts will focus on stroke efficiency, speed, and endurance. 

Spring Swim Lessons
March-May, 2024
As “America’s swim instructor,” the YMCA teaches children that water should be fun, not feared. By equipping kids with the tools they need to be confident in and around the water, they’ll be able to reap the health benefits of exercise, bond with friends and family and take pride in their new skills- safely.

Thanks to charitable contributions, the YMCA of Florida’s First Coast can offer financial assistance to those who qualify. 

Fees

  • Daily – Senior / Child $2.00, Adult $3.00
  • Multi-Use Cards (12 swims) – Senior / Child $12.00, Adult $18.00
  • Annual Pass – $112.00

Lap Swim Reservations  Available online by visiting the First Coast YMCA webpage.

Programs

Aquatics Programming provided by: St. Augustine Family YMCA

YMCA Swimming Program – Register for the Rays Swimming Club where swimmers can learn stroke technique, conditioning, and fun and games. Rays practice on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 5:30-6:30 p.m. For fees and more information, please call (904) 824.6770.

SCCC Pool Programs – The Solomon Calhoun Community Center Pool is a Jr. Olympic sized swimming pool in addition to a lesson pool with a splash area. We host lap swim, adult lap swim, recreation / open swim, swim lessons, the SJC Jr. Lifeguard Program and the   St. Augustine Cyclones Swim Team

Activities
  • Adult Open Gym
    When: 
    9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., M, W, R, F except Holidays
    Details: Round up some friends during our Adult open gym hours at the Solomon Calhoun Center. This program is free, but you must bring your own basketball and sign in upon arrival. For more information, contact Ashley Brown at abrown@sjcfl.us or (904) 209-0379.
  • Student Open Gym
    When: 3:00 – 5:30 p.m., M, W, R, F except Holidays
    Details: Students, bring your friends and play some ball during our open gym hours at the Solomon Calhoun Center. This program is free, but you must bring your own basketball and sign in upon arrival. For more information, contact Ashley Brown at abrown@sjcfl.us or (904) 209-0379.
Programs
  • Northeast Florida Community Action Agency
    This non-profit community action agency provides assistance to the community with food, utility assistance, employment programs, credit counseling, and other support. For more information on these programs, call (904) 824-0978 or visit NFCAA.net.
  • St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office
    Weed and Seed Program
  • West Augustine Athletic Association
    The West Augustine Athletic Association is a volunteer based organization. They provide football, cheerleading, dance, and stepping. Future programs include flag football, basketball, softball & summer sports conditioning program. For more information on these programs go to www.leaguelineup.com.

About Solomon Calhoun

Solomon Calhoun was a long-time educator, mentor and coach in St. Johns County.  St. Johns County is pleased to honor this long-time educator and community activist with the name Solomon Calhoun Community Center. The name was initiated by residents, requested by the West Augustine Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), supported by the St. Johns County Recreation Advisory Board and approved on April 7, 2009, by the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners.

Born in 1905, in Alpine, Alabama, Calhoun grew up in Alpine and Talladega, before spending two years at Clark College in Atlanta, where he studied and played football. Calhoun then transferred to Florida A&M University, excelling both in the classroom and on the football field. Calhoun holds the distinction of being the first Florida A&M football player to be named first-team All American, an honor he received in 1934.

Calhoun also earned a bachelor’s degree in 1936 and a master’s degree in 1955, both from Florida A&M University. He also studied at Ohio State, Florida State and the University of Florida, and spent most of his life as an educator, teacher, coach, mentor and community leader in St. Johns County. In December of 1936 Calhoun married Linnie Lucinda Smith; together they reared and influenced many youth in the community, too numerous to name. Calhoun passed away after a full and productive life in 1989.

Calhoun’s long resume includes the Hastings (FL) Vocational Training School, Excelsior High School (St. Augustine), Bunnell Carver High School (Nassau County), and Florida Memorial College. Calhoun also worked for the Florida East Coast Railroad Company, served as principal of Excelsior Elementary School, was director of Pupil Welfare in St. Johns County and owned the Chapin Street Grocery and Washeteria in St. Augustine.

Calhoun’s community service was vast, impacting many individuals throughout his lifetime. He was a charter member of the St. Johns County Chapter of the North East Florida Community Action Agency, was an active member and Sunday School teacher at St. Paul A.M.E. Church, and also served on the committee for the naming of the renovated Orange Street School Administration Building. He held memberships in the NAACP, Grand United Order of Oddfellows, San Sebastian and Elks Lodge, St. Johns County Retired Educators Association, National Retired Teachers Association, St. Johns County Mental Health Association, Venetian Club and Clique Social Club.