Crofton’s community pool will be closed this summer to allow time for the construction of a new bathhouse project to begin.
In a recent update, city council member, Bryce Rossman, said plans are moving forward with that project, and the addition of a splash pad within the complex.
“The bathhouse project is progressing nicely; we are working with the City’s attorney to draft an RFP (request for proposal) for the bathhouse project,” said Rossman. “The RFP will be approved by the council as an approved project so we can open the bid process for general contractors to bid on bathhouse construction.” Although the specificity of a timeline for the complicated RFP process hasn’t been determined yet, the council hopes to have the paperwork completed by the next meeting.
At a cost of around $200,000, Rossman said, “The splash pad that will be added to the aquatics complex is called AquaSmart Package K. This pad has 1,614 sq. ft. of wet area; two small geo misters; two hydro spheres; spray stacker; two funnel twists; two ground funnels; two rooster sprayers; two sea crawlers and two triple mists.”
Rossman said that the time is not determined on when the extensive pool and splash pad will be opened due to many different variables. The council will know more about when the bathhouse project will start in the coming weeks, when the RFP is officially finalized and goes to bid.
Now the question is, will members of the community need a pool pass to get into the splash pad portion of the complex once it is completed?
“The council has not determined whether a pool pass will need to be purchased for the splash pad,” Rossman said. “The council still needs to work through some management aspects of the pad with the pool managers and council to best determine how the splash pad will be managed.”
He said that the council decided to prioritize the bathhouse so it can be completed. With this, they have decided to close the pool for the summer to ensure the bathhouse project’s completion.
The pool project has been on the radar for Crofton residents for the past several years, with funding pledges coming from the Merle Guenther Family Pool Account, Crofton Community Foundation Pool Account and pledges from Main Street Treasures and other organizations and agencies.
Residents have been voicing their ideas and hearing updates regularly in January and February, and the plans have evolved through these meetings as the council has explored options, budgetary considerations and the needs of the community.
The next city council pool update meeting is this Thursday, March 12 at 6:30 p.m. and it is open to the public.