Organizers ready to dive in to Phase I of pool updates

The countdown is on for the McKinley Park Pool to open for the summer, but that’s not the only exciting news this year.

At a Creston City Council meeting Tuesday, council members approved an agreement with Garden & Associates, LTD for a topographic site survey of the immediate vicinity of the proposed pool improvements within McKinley Park.

The survey will measure elevation, locate existing utilities and trees and determine if the project lies in a FEMA designated 100-year floodplain or floodway among other things.

The survey is required by the aquatic design and engineering firm, Water’s Edge, that has been hired to design the new pool. They are working on the final design for Phase I of the McKinley Park Aquatic Center (MPAC) project.

“We are hopeful that we will be able to put Phase I of the project out to bid late this summer with construction beginning this fall and completed in time for the opening of the pool in 2023,” said Samantha Baird, MPAC committee member.

According to Baird, Phase I includes adding zero entry to the toddler pool, updating and repairing of existing mechanical systems, addition of heat to the pool, a climbing wall in the lap pool and the all-inclusive splash deck that will be open to the public when the pool is not open.

“We are excited to get Phase I started,” Baird said. Phase I is the only construction to be completed this year with phases II and III still further in the future.

This phase will not require the addition of lifeguard positions, and the pool has significantly more lifeguards this year than previous years. “Last year we started with five certified lifeguards, said Parks and Recreation Director Mark Huff. “We have 20 certified lifeguards, and we will have another lifeguard class before we open.”

The Parks and Recreation Board meets on Tuesday and will recommend city council approve South Central Iowa Community Foundation (SCICF) Grant for the climbing wall. The wall is already a part of the current budget and will happen regardless the amount of the grant as long as bids come back within the estimated budget that funds were raised for.

The pool is scheduled to open June 4 with daily hours of 1 - 8 p.m. The pool renovation will in no way impact swimming this year.