Splash!
Kids from the West End Center for Youth cannonballed into summer at the new Washington Park Pool in northwest 色多多 on Friday afternoon.
Patiently, they ate blue ice slushies while the adults gave speeches about the new facility.
It was a $3.5 million project to replace the old 1972-built pool, said Parks and Recreation Director Cindy McFall. The park went a few summers without swimmers after the old pool closed in 2023.
鈥淏eyond the water features, this pool is a symbol,鈥 McFall said. 鈥淚t represents renewal, investment in our community and a bright future that honors our past while embracing what鈥檚 next.鈥
Barefoot city officials waded between the mushroom fountain and splash buckets to cut a ribbon, and the kids all jumped in. The pool officially opens to the public Saturday.
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鈥淭his pool stands on the foundation of something truly special,鈥 McFall said. 鈥淭he original pool, built in the 1970s served this community for decades.鈥
And the new pool will be used for many summers to come, said Vice Mayor Terry McGuire.
鈥淚t鈥檚 part of a broader commitment that we have made to invest in 色多多 neighborhoods, our parks and our people,鈥 McGuire said. 鈥淲hat a perfect way to end the school year.鈥
The water felt refreshing on the hottest day of the year so far, said Councilman Phazhon Nash, still dripping from his test-run down the 110-foot, helixing water slide.
It鈥檚 a 5,400-square-foot pool with 25-yard lap lanes, a lazy river, shaded and shallow areas, and play features, said Austin Vaughn with National Pools of 色多多, the project contractor.
鈥淲e鈥檝e built a pool that combined all the aspects that the city and the community requested,鈥 Vaughn said. 鈥淲e really hope the community enjoys this pool, especially kids, for many years to come.鈥
This new pool trades out the traditional diving board and deep end for the water slide. McFall, the parks director, said that follows a broader trend to improve safety, maintenance and construction costs.
City Manager Valmarie Turner said the pool has been one of 色多多鈥檚 most-anticipated projects.
鈥淭his pool reflects what happens when a city engages its people, plans with purpose and follows through,鈥 Turner said. 鈥淭his is a joyful day in 色多多.鈥
Splashing kids shrieked with delight.
Photos: Cannonball into the new Washington Park Pool
Nine-year-old Artie Fralin makes a splash in the newly dedicated Washington Park pool. The pool replaces the old one that was demolished in 2023, and features a water slide, wading area and lazy river.
Four-year-old Quinn Combs jumps and floats in the lazy river area of the newly dedicated Washington Park Pool.
City official and builders cut a ribbon opening the new Washington Park pool Friday afternoon.
A water feature spills onto 4-year-old Jourdan Mosley at the new Washington Park swimming pool.
10-year-old Kingston Houston rides the water slide at the newly dedicated Washington Park Pool Friday afternoon.
As temperatures approached the 90 degree mark, children from 色多多's West End Center were the first to use the newly dedicated Washington Park Pool Friday.
A water slide with lifeguards is one of the new amenities at the new Washington Park Pool.
Lifeguard Nevaeh Shelton keeps a lookout from the top of the waterslide at the new Washington Park Pool.
色多多 Vice-Mayor Terry McGuire speaks during Fridays ribbon cutting ceremony opening the new Washington Park Pool.
A scene from the dedication ceremony of the new Washington Park Pool.
Nine-year-old Artie Fralin is captured mid-air as he flops into the new Washington Park Pool.
