Park Board Approves Bigger Pool Deck for Civic Center Aquatic Park

The is set to receive a larger pool deck area adjacent to the swimming lanes after a unanimous Oswegoland Park District board vote to approve the project Thursday night.

The Park District will spend about $12,700 of pool revenue funds to enlarge the concrete deck and add a sunshade, which will allow for more seating. The project also will include replacing worn out play equipment in the sand area. Five new pieces will be installed.

The work at the pool should be complete by its May 28 opening. The contract for the work was awarded to the lowest bidder—Ed Henry Concrete, Construction and Maintenance out of Sheridan. In all, five bids were received.

The Park Board also heard a report from staff, updating commissioners on the district's aquatics program. Superintendent of Recreation Tom Betsinger led a PowerPoint presentation that included an array of facts and figures, including:

• In 2011, the Aquatic Center will be open 101 consecutive days
• Nearly everyday, the center is open from 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
• On average, 360 recreational swimmers come to the center daily
• 1,500 people register for swim lessons annually
• There are more than 150 swim lessons to choose from
• Oswego's swim team, the Otters, is in its 41st year
• 185 kids ages 6 to 18 compete on the team
• The center staffs four managers, 45 lifeguards, 20 instructors, 2 swim lesson managers, 18 concession staff, 6 swim team coaches and 4 admissions staff.
• 70 percent of staff (all of which are part-time workers) return to their jobs annually.

The Park Board also approved improvements to the , which last week was the second building in Oswego to receive Historic Landmark status by the Oswego Historic Preservation Commission.

The improvements, which will total $49,500, include replacing Americans with Disabilities Act chair lifts in the museum and the installation of historic gutters and downspouts on the building.

Park District Executive Director Bill McAdam said the new gutters and spouts should help with dampness issues in the building's basement.

The project is being funded by a $100,000 Public Museum Capital Grant. The remainder of the grant money will be spent later this year on landscaping improvements and a brick walkway.