Decatur pool set to open on Tuesday

— For those looking for a way to keep cool this summer, the Decatur public swimming pool will open for the season on Tuesday.

There was some debate on the city council whether or not Decatur could afford the extra expenses of the pool this year, especially since a new Americans with Disabilities Act requirement mandates that all public pools have a wheel chair lift available. However, council members voted 3-2 last month to keep the pool open.

Oceans Pools and Spas allowed the city to purchase a lift at cost, and it will be paid for by a $3,000 grant from the Arkansas Department of Rural Services.

Mayor Charles Linamreported at last week’'s city council meeting that the lift has been ordered. There is an 11-week wait time to get the lift because of the high demand, he said. However, the Justice Department understands the situation and will allow pools to open as long as they have a plan in place to get a lift, Linam explained.

After reviewing admission prices and hours of operation for other area pools, city council members voted last week to allow Linam and city administrative assistant Kim Wilkins to set rates and hours for the Decatur pool.

Admission to the pool will cost $2 per person of any age, Wilkins said on Monday. Season passes are available for $60 for individuals and $10 for each additional immediate family memberliving in the same household. Households with more than five immediate family members will be charged a flat rate of $100.

Pool parties will be $60 for less than 25 people and $100 for 26-75 people. Pool parties and season passes must be booked and paid for at city hall, not at the swimming pool, Wilkins said.

Pool hours will be shortened to save money on lifeguards and operating costs, Linam said. He estimated that the pool’s losses could be as low as $2,500 to $3,500, compared to almost triple those numbers in past years.

The pool will be open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, and will be open from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. for pool parties. For more information, call city hall at 752-3912.

Sports, Pages 9 on 05/23/2012