'Splish' Splash : Outdoor Pool opens

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Laura L. Valentine
  • Airman 1st Class Laura L. Valentine
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  After more than nine months of renovations, McConnell's outdoor pool will reopen with a celebration hosted by Outdoor Recreation May 27, 2011, from 10-11:30 a.m. at the pool on Lawrence Drive.

Nearly $990,000 went into the renovations.

Improvements including new gutters and drains for the pool, fencing to enclose the pool area and lap lanes were added to give the pool a more modern look. The pool snack bar was also reconstructed, and the bathroom was enlarged to accommodate usage from the outdoor pavilion and the pool.

"We want to make sure we can offer better facilities for our customers," said Jim Vause, McConnell Outdoor Recreation director, on the improvements to the pool.
After multiple summers of use and temperamental Kansas weather, the pool needed these repairs to provide for increased usage and improved access.

Perhaps the most visible additions to the pool are the three new slides at the deep end of the pool. Patrons will be able to ascend one single set of stairs to arrive at the top of the structure, and choose which of the three to venture down.

Children and parents can now enjoy swim-free fun under the new overhead sprinkler system installed in the kiddy-pool area. The splash park includes hanging buckets that periodically fill with water and tip over unexpectedly on patrons below.

Six additional lifeguards were added to the guard staff for the summer season to accommodate the safety requirements for the new slides and splash park.

"The lifeguards have gone above and beyond as far as working to prepare for the pool opening," said Toni Blevins, McConnell Outdoor Recreation lifeguard supervisor. "We have a super group of guards this year."

The certified lifeguards will monitor patrons using the new water attractions and help ensure safety and crowd management.

Members of McConnell's honor guard assisted in final preparations for the reopening. Airmen were tasked with general maintenance and cleaning, reinstalling lifeguard stands and placing new trash cans around the pool deck.

Patron capacity for the fenced-in area is posted at 153 persons.

There is no daily fee for patrons who have a valid military or dependent ID card. Any other visitors will be charged two dollars daily.

For more information about the reopening or pool rules, please call Outdoor Recreation at (316) 759-4435 or visit the Outdoor Recreation link at www.refuelmcconnell.com.