The Winchester-Clark County Parks and Recreation Board continues to look at converting the Community Pool facility into the Eugene Gay Swim Complex.
Parks Director Jeff Lewis, Chairman Charlie Eury and board member Ramsey Flynn recently visited a water park in Stanton that was built on the site of a box pool similar to the one at Community Park. They came away impressed with what Stanton officials had done, Lewis told the board Monday.
“One thing they did was similar to our situation,” Lewis said. “They had a box pool as well, and they concreted it in and put a building and shelter over top of that area, and in front of that they put the water features.
“The guy we talked to worked for the parks department and said he was kind of skeptical at first, but he said it has turned out to be better than they thought it would. They love it and said it was a good thing for the community and draws people from other counties, including Winchester.”
The facility in Stanton is smaller than one the parks department is looking at putting at Community Park, Lewis said, but the obstacle of the unused pool was very similar to what the parks board faces.
Flynn said the committee would continue to explore options for the park and bring those back to the board at future meetings.
Before the meeting began, Pat Brown, who teaches a senior water aerobics class at the College Park pool, presented the board with a $4,228 check her class members had raised from a quilt raffle. Since the class began at the pool in 2009, class members have raised $14,958 for the department.
In other business, the board:
— Heard a report from July 4 Committee Chairman Tim Smith about next year’s event. Smith told the board that the committee is exploring the possibility of teaming with the First Church of God on Colby Road, which hosts the July 4 Freedom Fest event each year, to combine the two events. Smith said the committee has had a couple of talks with church officials and are still ironing out the details before making a final decision.
— Unanimously approved hiring head lifeguard Josh Bryant to fill the new position of part-time assistant aquatics director to work alongside aquatics director Michelle Francetti. Bryant was chosen from three individuals who were interviewed for the position. Lewis said that while all the candidates were well qualified, Bryant was chosen because of his training and experience, especially in working in the pool’s pump room.
— Heard a report from Francetti that the department’s annual Haunted Swamp Halloween event has been extended to two nights this year, Oct. 26 and 27. Other upcoming parks events include a night disc golf glow tournament on Oct. 19, and the Kentucky State Amateur Tournament on Nov. 3. Also, the department’s co-ed volleyball league includes 11 teams this year, with play beginning next week.
Contact Bob Flynn at bflynn@winchestersun.com.
