ASHLAND — Brookside Pool is slated to receive a new slide.
Ashland City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to purchase a slide for $49,250, an amount covered by the parks’ budget.
But the “bummer” is that the slide won’t be installed until the fall when the pool has closed for the season, said Mayor Matt Miller.
“It will likely take six to eight weeks to manufacture,” Miller said. “So that means we won’t install it until later in the fall after the pool’s closed so it doesn’t disrupt the fun the kids are already having.”
The new slide, which is taller and slightly twistier than the current slide, will be the latest addition next to the pool’s heating system crews installed in the spring.
“For the first time ever, little children didn’t have to get in that swimming pool at a 69-degree temperature when it opened up … and so the temperature of that pool is now a balmy 74. If it were up to me it’d be in the 80s, but nonetheless 74 still probably takes the chill off for most people,” Miller said.
Jason Counts, the city’s park director, said the next project for the pool is the kiddie pool.
“It definitely needs replaced,” he said, adding there are two options. One of them is to to keep the layout untouched with new walls and equipment. The other option is to keep one half a wading pool and turn the other into a spray park.
“Those are just thoughts,” he said. “We’re receiving quotes for that and seeing if it’s feasible.”
Work on the kiddie pool wouldn’t start until next year, he said.
The public pool has been open with abbreviated hours since May 27. It’s open Monday to Saturday now from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday from 1 to 7:30 p.m.
