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New pool set to open on Memorial Day
City staff is preparing for the much-anticipated opening of the new Fort Scott Aquatic Center on Memorial Day.
While officials aren't sure how many people to expect for the pool's inaugural day, Assistant City Manager Susan Brown said preparations are being made for large numbers.
"We're trying to prepare ourselves for a mad rush," she said.
A city news release said the pool's first day is predicted to be "exciting and chaotic." To cut down on waiting time and address potential problems before they occur, the city and aquatic center staff have released information on how things will work when the center officially at 1 p.m. Monday.
Because city officials want as many people as possible to experience the pool the first day, no season passes will be accepted that day. Each person who wants to enter the pool must pay a $2 entry fee, with the exception of kids 2 and under who will be admitted free. The fee will be a discounted rate for adults, the release said.
The city has decided to decided to charge the across-the-board fee the first day because the pool has a 400-person limit and officials want to ensure those seeking memberships won't be stuck in line.
"We thought about the logistics of that first day ... We thought the best way, the fairest way, was to make that first day a cash day and first-come, first-served. I hope everyone enjoys it," City Manager Dave Martin said. "You could have people waiting to get passes, and people who get to go on in and swim because they have cash."
Brown added that because of the "newness" of the pool, there will likely be "a lot of people waiting in line to get in."
"We want to give everyone the same opportunity to get into the pool," she said. "We know there will be a major backlog for memberships if people came through and tried to buy a membership that day."
The city will begin selling season passes that can be used for the rest of the summer this weekend. Passes will be sold from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and starting at 8 a.m. Monday. Residents who wish to buy a season pass must do so at the aquatic center.
Each family member to be included in the pass must be present when it is purchased, Brown said.
To expedite the process, forms can be printed out from the city's website, www.fscity.org and Facebook page, filled out and brought to the aquatic center. Those people who purchase a pass early should remember that they cannot begin using it until Tuesday, May 29, the release said.
Prices for the pool will return to their normal rates starting May 29. Daily admission fees will be $2 for people 3-14 years of age and 63 and older; $3 for people 15-62 years of age; and free for kids under 2 years of age. Season passes will cost $65 for a single, $150 for a family of up to four people and $15 per person for each additional family member.
Brown also encouraged those who plan to come enjoy the pool on its first day to "be patient."
"There will still be some construction going on. We want them to be careful," she said.
Brown said some areas of the pool may be roped off and not accessible on Monday, but all amenities -- such as slides, a diving board, basketball goals and zero-depth entry -- will be available.
A new system is being put into place for memberships at the pool, Buck Run Community Center and Woodland Hills Golf Course. A key fob will be given as part of a check-in system with an ID photo. People can buy passes and receive key fobs to access one or all three locations. Each person will receive a key fob that is specific to that person, Brown said.
Aquatic center staff will include 10 lifeguards, two assistant managers, a concession stand attendant and an admission attendant. Tom Davis will be the pool manager.
The release also said the city will also begin taking reservations for private parties starting Monday. People may reserve the pool for private parties from 8 to 10 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings throughout the summer. Special consideration may be made for parties on weeknights. Reservation fees, which cost $100 per hour, must be made at the aquatic center.
Residents can continue to check the city's Facebook page and website for updates and information regarding the pool.
A 10-year, half-cent sales tax that went into effect last July funded construction of the pool and expansion of Buck Run Community Center. Money generated from the sales tax will pay for sales tax bonds the Fort Scott City Commission issued in November. The sales tax was expected to generate $3.9 million over the 10-year period with $3 million paying for the aquatic center and $722,000 for the Buck Run expansion.