The swimming pool complex for Emery County is coming closer to being a reality announced, Emery County Commissioner Drew Sitterud at the Republican fall dinner Oct. 5. The latest news about the proposed natatorium or swimming pool complex for the county, to be built by Emery County in partnership with the Permanent Community Impact Board and the Emery County School District. The construction of the pool is pending a yes vote on the Nov. 7 ballot.
He stated that today, the CIB has offered a $5 million dollar no interest loan to build the pool if the vote is yes in November.
The old Castle Dale swimming pool building is too far gone to be repaired the old brick is softening, which makes it a building in danger of falling down or injuring someone. The roof is also beyond fixing. Demolition of the old swimming pool building will start next year. This means there will be no swimming available in Emery County until the new swimming pool is completed.
The school board has come forward, and donated the land, one block from the elementary school and one block from the high school. This donated land is east of the high school and the school board will also donate the parking lot. The street 800 North in Castle Dale will be extended to this property. Castle Dale City has started work on putting this city street to the pool site. Castle Dale has pledged $10,000 each year to help with maintenance and operation expenses at the pool. The recreation district also gives $15,000 each year to Castle Dale for pool expenses and this money will continue with the new pool facility.
This swimming pool when built will have two swimming pool areas, an indoor pool 25 yards long with six lanes, with diving boards. There will also be an outdoor pool for playing. The outdoor pool will go down to six feet deep with sprinklers and will not be a cement pool but a PVC pool. The total cost of both pool areas will be $5 million.
Castle Dale Mayor Neal Peacock has been instrumental in stressing the need for a new pool. The Emery High School does not have a swim team now. Every county in Utah has a swim team, with the exception of two schools. Emery County is one of those counties that does not have swimming facilities, therefore Emery High School can’t compete in swimming events.
With the building of this swimming pool in Castle Dale, EHS will now be able compete in the swim team competition.
The indoor pool will be open all year long. The outdoor pool be allowed to freeze over in the winter. Chlorine will be used to maintain the swimming pool water. Special filters will also be used to keep the water clean.
Until the public votes for the pool in November, the final architectural plans will not be drawn. The preliminary tax burden looks to be approximately $8 per year on a $100,000 home. The $5 million will be a loan for 20 years. Also a $100,000 tax increase per year will be needed for pool maintenance. This will average out to be approximately $1 or $2 per year for tax payers.
The existing pool has never made a profit. Swimming pools are not known for making a profit and the pool will be supported by the county, Castle Dale City and the recreation district.
The new swimming pool complex will have lifts and ramps for the handicapped. Provisions for parapalegics and other handicapped persons.
The county will maintain the pool. Sitterud expects the pool to remain open from early morning until late night. It’ll be open for birthday parties and family gatherings. Construction of the pool is expected to begin as soon as the ground can be worked in the spring of 2007. However the pool will not be built if the public votes no at the November election.
This swimming pool complex is commonly called a natatorium. Natatorium’s are much more than a swimming pool. They usually offer instruction and recreation to individuals of all ages, abilities and interests. They also offer a wide range of services and programs including aquatics activities for the elderly and disabled, scuba lessons, water polo, aquacise class, and age-group swimming and diving instruction, to name a few.
The natatorium pools are usually available year round for instruction, competitive athletics, recreation, intramurals, club sponsored special aquatics events. Lap swimming is almost always available some time during the day or night. Some host state swimming championships and Special Olympics as well as various swimming meets and diving teams.
Natatorium: A Latin word revived in the 20th century to describe an indoor place for swimming in ancient Rome, cella natatoria ( literally “room for swimming”) referred to any swimming pool installed in a separate building. Refers to a public swimming pool in Rome date from 215 B.C. Source: McCoy Natatorium, Penn State University, www.psu.edu/dept/nat
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