WATERVILLE — The municipal pool and park on North Street opens for the season Saturday — just missing this week’s near-record heat.
The park includes the six-lane, 25-meter Alfond Municipal Pool, water slides, spray pool with 16 water jets, kiddie pools and a family swim area.
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“I think we’re in pretty good shape for Saturday,” said Parks and Recreation Director Matt Skehan Thursday.
Park fees have increased in an effort to close the gap between what it costs to run the park and what the park brings in, he said.
Skehan said the city had to raise the rates because it loses money every year on the operation.
“In a good year, we probably lose between $25,000 and $28,000,” he said. “There just aren’t that many ways to bridge the gap between expenses and revenues. We do the best we can to run the park as efficiently as we can.”
Daily admission for residents 17 and younger has increased from $1 to $2; nonresident daily fees increased from $2 to $4. The daily fee for resident adults 18 and older increased from $2 to $3; daily nonresident adult rates increased from $5 to $7. Residents 65 and older are admitted free of charge; nonresident seniors pay $5.
Children and adults from Waterville and surrounding towns typically pack the popular spot on hot days.
He said, for instance, that the Fairfield Police Athletic League brings 80 to 100 kids a day, four or five days a week.
City employees just after 8 a.m. Thursday were working on the pool area in preparation for Saturday’s opening.
“They’re pressure-washing the deck, doing all the edging around the pool — finishing touches, really, to get everything up and running,” said Recreation Coordinator Bobbie-Jo Green.
Green pointed to a new shade shelter that was built on the snack shack for patrons who want to sit at picnic tables away from the sun. The pools all have been repainted, she said.
While temperatures Wednesday and Thursday were in the 80s and 90s, Saturday’s forecast is for more seasonable mid-70s.
Alfond Center employees manage the pool and park. Michele Perkins is pool manager, David Turnage is assistant manager and Lore Wing is swim lesson coordinator.
Open swim times at the park are 12:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, through Aug. 19.
Amy Calder — 861-9247
acalder@centralmaine.com
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