Antioch aquatic center work ahead of schedule
By Diana Kuyper Special to The News-Sun December 14, 2012 7:46PM
Conceptual drawing for the new Antioch Aqua Center. | Special to Sun-Times Media
Updated: February 13, 2013 1:40AM
The old pool at Williams Park near the public library on Main Street is gone and the new aqua center is quickly taking shape thanks to mild and dry weather.
“Thanks to the weather we are ahead of schedule on construction,” said Parks and Recreation Director Shawn Roby. “The bathhouse has been completely renovated with a relocated entrance and two additional family changing rooms.”
The new pump house that will also include an office for lifeguards and a concession sales area is up and the walls have been insulated so work can continue through winter.
The cement floor of the deep end of the new 6,700 foot pool has been poured. “If mother nature continues to cooperate the 12 foot walls of the deep end will be installed by the end of next week and after that work will begin on the shallower areas of the pool,” said Roby.
He said the only lag so far on construction was a delay in shipping of some of the materials and equipment due to Hurricane Sandy.
The 56-year-old pool was taken out immediately after the 2012 season ended in August. By Memorial Day 2013 it will be replaced by a new L-shaped pool that doubles the size of the old facility and will accommodate up to 500 bathers. It also will include recreational features that will appeal to all ages, including zero-depth entry, a water slide and play features for children.
The competition-sized pool will include six lap lanes and a diving board. The design includes expanding the existing bathhouse and increasing the parking area to provide an additional 40 spaced and building a new pump house for pool equipment, storage, concessions and an office for the pool manager and lifeguards.
Village officials are revising the fee schedule and plan to give an early-bird discount to season pool pass purchasers starting Feb. 1.
“We expect to have the new fees finalized by the end of next week so we can publish them in the January community newsletter,” said Roby.
