The Metropolis City Pool plans to open for the Summer on Friday June 11, Metropolis City Parks and Recreation Director Pris Abell told WMOK.
Abell told WMOK that the process for the project began in 2018 when she applied for and received a grant for the project.
The grant is an OSLAD grant (Open Spaces Land Acquisition and Development) and it is administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The grant is funded by the sale of real estate in Illinois, for every dollar that is collected, half of that money goes into the OSLAD grant fund. About every four years that fund is used to help cities in Illinois improve or build parks and facilities in those parks.
The process for the grant selection took close to a year and came to fruition with a two minute presentation in front of the IDNR board in Springfield. The Metropolis project is being funded at 50% of the 463,000 requested. The project is paid for locally and will receive a $231,650 reimbursement. $115,825 was received after the State of Illinois approved the project.
The Covid-19 pandemic caused delays during the project as the final step was to get final approval from the Illinois Department of Public Health. Other delays caused by the pandemic included shipping of necessary materials for the project.
The splash pad will be 59′ by 60′ and will have Superman themed water features. It will be open when the swimming pool is open and will be included in the fee to swim. The splash pad is ADA compliant with a ramp down to the play area. There will be a life guard on duty while the splash pad is operating.
After hour parties will have the option of using the splash pad; however an additional fee will be necessary due to the fact that an additional life guard must be posted in that area.
In addition to the Superman Splash Pad funds were also requested and received to have the swimming pool gutters rebuilt and to have the pool sandblasted and repainted.
Abell told WMOK that a new ADA compliant lift will be installed at the City Pool due to a need of constant repairs with the current one.
The Metropolis City Pool remained closed during the Summer of 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. When we followed up with Abell on this week she told WMOK that they have slated the open date for June 11. Abell reiterates that the City of Metropolis will follow all guidelines issued by the state of Illinois.
Metropolis Parks and Recreation Director, Pris Abell was hired as Pool Manager in 2002 during the tenure of Mayor Beth Clanahan and worked under the direction of Parks and Rec Director, Neal Pankey. Abell was promoted to Asst. Parks Director in 2003, becoming Director in 2004.
For more from WMOK regarding the Metropolis City Pool click here
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