Ashlands knee-deep in options for Carter Park Pool

Posted on Thursday, November 20, 2014 at 2:18 pm

One of several options presented by Siska Aurand Landscape Architects Inc. would demolish the existing pool and replace it with what is essentially a miniature waterpark at a cost of $1.3 million. (design by Siska Aurand Landscape Architects Inc.)

On a chilly Tuesday night, one of the first real harbingers of the winter season to come, Ashland officials had fun in the sun on their minds as they weighed the future of the Carter Park Pool.

In a work session held prior to the regular Ashland Town Council meeting Nov. 18, council members, town staff and members of the parks and recreation committee met with Doug Aurand, of Norfolk-based Siska Aurand Landscape Architects Inc., the same firm that designed the original town pool.

Options presented by Aurand ranged from a relatively bare-bones update and renovation of the existing facility, which would cost roughly $705,000, to a $1.3 million plan that would replace the current 20-year-old pool with what is essentially a miniature waterpark, equipped with slides, water features and an expansive beach area.

In either case, Aurand said a renovation or replacement of the existing facility would give the town at least another 20 years of use.

Dennis Rabon, parks and recreation coordinator, noted that needed repairs have driven up operating costs at the pool over the past several years and that the options presented by Aurand served as a starting point for discussions going forward as town officials try to determine the future of the facility.

Is the pool a service were going to continue to provide? Thats a reasonable question, town manager Charles Hartgrove added. If so, what type of investment do we want to look at making in the pool? Is it a short-term replacement where were going to have to come back and revisit this in the near future or are we looking more long-term, generational as the last pool has served us for the last couple decades?

Members of town council and the parks and recreation committee at least consented that a pool of some sort is in Ashlands future; however, talks stopped well short of determining the scope of the project.

[Looking at these options] I felt like I was planning a wedding before there was a proposal, said Councilman Steve Trivett.

Go here to read the rest:
Ashlands knee-deep in options for Carter Park Pool