In the interim, the relays situation had brightened and assistance was no longer necessary. The men who had formed the new group became the Sportsmen of Stanislaus and turned their energies toward the establishment of a men's athletic club.
The first step was the purchase of a $20,000 building site adjacent to the City of Modesto's then new 18 hole Dryden Park Golf Course which was being built along the banks of the Tuolumne River. SOSers who were connected with the building industry were asked to serve on a Building Committee. Plans were drawn, a loan obtained and donations of materials and services from SOSers and their companies poured in. Construction of the first building phase started in 1959. In 1960 the clubhouse was a reality.
The attractive clubhouse and its facilities met with such approval that the original plan to hold the club for men only was altered to the extent that families were included in certain phases of activity.
A swimming pool in the patio just beyond the dining room was added, much of it volunteer labor and materials. In June, 1962, the 42 x 72 foot racing pool was opened. In early summer of 1963 another building step was accomplished with the completion of two indoor handball courts, the Founders Room and an addition to the kitchen, a $58,000 project.
August of 1963 saw the first use of the just finished tennis courts, three of them. By this time a dressing and shower room as well as a snack bar had been opened by the racing pool and a tennis pro shop adjacent to the building was soon in operation.
Midsummer, 1965, was highlighted by the opening of the proudest achievement of the swimming setup - the Olympic sized 18 feet deep diving pool, equipped with a 3 meter and 1 meter diving boards. It was deep enough to add a 10 meter tower.
In the fall of 1965 the concrete floor in the gym was replaced with a spring wood floor. Landscaping neared completion and the six acre site was handsomely planted with lawns, trees and shrubs.
By the tenth anniversary of the SOS Club the expansion of the main clubhouse was complete. Included in the expansion were golf cart storage, extra locker space, a fully equipped workout room a "Knockout Room," additional dining space, a billiard room, and new carpeting and drapes.
During the calendar year of 1967, the SOS moved ahead in many areas, most notable being the purchase of an additional 5 acres north of and adjacent to the SOS grounds, augmenting the earlier acquisition of a triangular plot across Sunset Boulevard from the clubhouse. The lobby was expanded and redecorated and the front office was moved to enlarged quarters. There was a separate accounting office established.
In January 1968, the SOS established its Outstanding Athlete Awards program in which Stanislaus County athletes and those who have worked to further sports receive recognition. From a wide field of nominees, a winner would be selected in the Prep and Open Divisions. Additionally, when the committee deemed appropriate, the Jay Pattee Memorial Award would be presented to a deserving Stanislaus County individual.
Two additional indoor handball courts were completed in May, 1968; air conditioning for all four courts was made possible through the cooperation of the handball players who conducted a fundraiser for that purpose.
In 1968 two new tennis courts were completed in an area adjacent to the three original courts, allowing for an expansion of the tennis program.
1972 was a year of expansion for the SOS. A new wing was added providing more locker space, two whirlpool baths, an extensive workout room, a new meeting room, a new Founders Room, a Men's Only lounge, relocation of the offices, expansion of the lower dining room area and complete redecoration of social areas.
Athletic facilities were still growing in 1973 as members saw the completion of the double gymnasium, three new air conditioned handball courts, two new tennis courts as well as the second softball field and more parking spaces.
In 1976 the SOS did it again! Our dining facilities, kitchen, lobby, bar….in fact the major portion of the main clubhouse had undergone $100,000 worth of remodeling that turned the SOS Club into truly stunning and beautiful grounds. The new carpets, drapes refinished chairs, the new bar and the enclosure of the patio into dining with a view of Dryden Municipal Golf course, had formed a clubhouse that it being appreciated by all who saw it.
Tom Mellis and the "Original Seven," the realization of a dream far exceeded their original hopes. There are many members who have contributed to the organizations with time, talent, money and a sincere desire to make the SOS Club one of the finest in the nation.
