THE FOLLOWING IS A NEWS-GAZETTE STORY BY JENNIFER BAILEY
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DANVILLE — With the temperature in the 80s, the pool full and the new slides ready to go, the cool, glistening water looked inviting Monday afternoon at the Danville Aquatic Center at Garfield Park.
The grand opening of the rebuilt aquatic center could be in the next couple weeks.
“Our hope is mid-June,” said Public Works Director Dave Ruwe.
Ruwe said Monday’s inspection by the Illinois Department of Public Health “went well,” with the city now just waiting on a couple clean-up items. Final local inspections, with the building and electrical inspectors, also are to occur.
Ruwe said they’re down to their last punch list of items to take care of before the aquatic center will open.
He said he was checking with Mayor Rickey Williams Jr. and other city officials on a meeting hopefully this week to determine an opening date.
Ruwe said they are working on “some strategies” in order to not overwhelm the new aquatics center staff of 30-40 when the pool opens. Most of those staffers are lifeguards, currently in training; with cashiers; a manager; and assistant managers.
He added that they also want the public to have good experiences.
“We don’t want their first experience to be bad,” Ruwe said.
The center likely will be a big draw for the community right as it starts to feel like summer with consistently warmer temperatures.
Ruwe doesn’t have a maximum capacity number for the center yet.
AMBUCS also is “freshening up” the AMUBCS Sprayground for Everyone, adjacent to the pool area at the aquatics center, with a refurbished sign, and they’re working on some fixes with the Sprayground equipment.
Last month, the Danville City Council approved fees for the center.
Rates for the 2024 season are: a daily pass (per person), $8; a punch card for 10 daily passes (per person), $70; and a day pass for nonprofit organizations (such as the Boys & Girls Club, per person), $4. Children age 3 and under will be free.
Former fees for the municipal pool were: daily admission of $1.50 for children with a paid adult or $4.50 per person.
The city has spent more than half of its American Rescue Plan Act funding, about $13 million, on fixing up what was the Garfield Municipal Pool, originally built in 1969 and shuttered in 2021.
The city was forced to close the pool when chunks of the wall started coming out, causing wall failures; guttering fell into disrepair and pieces of decking started falling apart; in addition, cracks in the floor also developed.
City officials had hoped to open the aquatics center around Memorial Day, but construction and other delays pushed the date back.
Improvements include three colorful water slides and three big umbrellas to sit and lay under; a new stainless-steel pool gutter system; and new pump house and bath house with more bathroom space, better changing rooms, well-illuminated locker space and a staff room.
There will be vending machines in the locker area where people can purchase snacks.
Also related to the Garfield Park improvements, the Danville City Council on Tuesday night will consider a budget amendment and redevelopment agreement with GP Cole Inc., which does business locally as Dines Machine & Manufacturing.
City officials are proposing the purchase of 2003 E. Voorhees St., the former Del Storm Windows Building, for $265,000, higher than the previously announced purchase price of $250,000, for Dines to move into from 1120 Industrial Ave.
Funding for the budget amendment comes from Community Reinvestment Fund reserves.
The city also will assist with relocation of equipment and would cooperate to resolve any equipment failing to operate properly, according to the agreement.
The move is expected by the fall of 2025.
