During the Daniel Boone Pioneer Festival earlier this month, board members took advantage of opportunity to show off the natatorium to patrons of the festival and conducted an informal open house during the two-day event.
“It was too good of an opportunity for people to see the facility and make it available for tours,” board chairman Charles Eury said. “It was worthwhile, and we made a lot of contacts. I went home worn out, but it was worth it.”
Eury estimated between 500 and 600 visitors toured the indoor pool during the festival.
The pool, which has been in operation for the past two months, has received 4,043 visitors and has seen an increase in annual passes, which totaled 53 at the end of August. The numbers have missed preliminary monthly projections, but Parks and Recreation director Geri Remley expects that figure to rise when winter arrives and the fitness center is completed.
“This winter, we should see a significant hike,” she said.
During the first three months of operation, Remley has gotten a handle on the pool’s “peak” times and has made an adjustment in the time schedule. In an effort to eliminate unnecessary expenses, coupled with the beginning of the school year, the pool is closed Monday-Friday from 1-3:30 p.m.
“It’s not unusual for indoor aquatic facilities to close (during non-peak times),” Eury said. “They’re all doing the same thing. There’s no point in having guards (at the pool) when there’s nobody in the pool.”
Board member Bob Jackson, who is charge of fundraising for the pool, has raised $50,000 to help fund additional expenditures.
In other business, the board:
— approved a bid from SimplexGrinnell to install and restore fire protection devices at College Park Library.
— gave permission for Remley to attend the annual Kentucky Recreation and Park Society conference at Lake Barkley.
— approved a yearly plan for seasonal workers for the next three months.
— made plans to form an advisory board made up of members from various points in Clark County to help formulate plans for the future and make suggestions and ideas for board members to consider.
Eury said he plans to add teenagers.
“We’re definitely going to put some youth members on that board,” he said.
Contact Keith Taylor at ktaylor@winchestersun.com
