Pool should be ready next year
Parks and Recreation Director Carlene Brown said work on the new city pool is progressing and should be completed on time for next year’s swimming season.
After beginning excavation work in late June, workers with general contractors C & H Commercial Contractors of Manchester and Burrelson Pools have spent the past six weeks doing much of the prep work that won’t been seen when completed, with Burrelson most recently installing the rebar system for the bottom shell of the pool.
The first bit of concrete was poured Wednesday. Additionally, all the plumbing has been installed for the pool’s water features, which includes more than 30 specialty features including two slides.
Brown said a collaborative effort between the Public Works and Water departments, McMinnville Electric System and other local utilities has contributed to the overall pool.
MES and public works removed old power lines and moved utility poles, re-routing the power from the street to the new facility. The water department has brought the capability for water to the new pool area and is presently installing sewer lines for the new bath house.
“This was a cost savings to us, being able to do a lot of the work in-house and they’ve really worked hard on it too,” Brown said. “Overall, everything is going really well. We’ve had a lot of rain days, but they’re on schedule and I feel very comfortable to say they’re going to meet the deadline to be open next May.”
Officials have also been debating the color scheme in an attempt to coordinate the multitude of water play features, including tee cups, dew drops and rain drops that drop water in the children’s zero entry area, two slides and several other features.