Pool prepped for 24th season
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FAIRMONT-- The Fairmont Aquatic Park will open to the public for a summer of sun, fun and swimming on Monday, June 5. The pool has been a long-standing hot spot in the community since it opened in 1999.
Betsy Steuber, park manager, said staff spends about three weeks cleaning and preparing the pool prior to it opening. This season no significant repairs were needed but some landscaping work has been done and all minor leaks have been tended to.
Steuber said this year there aren't any new features, but there are a few changes when it comes to aqua fitness classes and swimming lessons.
"We've added an early morning deep water tread class. Our swimming lessons are structured a little differently to accommodate more participation levels and to also help with staff shortages," Steuber said.
Like many other businesses, the aquatic park has struggled over the past few years with finding help.
"It seems like if we have 10 or 100, we can always use more lifeguards because there's always things that come up in a person's life," Steuber said.
However, Steuber said they're currently sitting okay. Overall, including lifeguards and guest service staff, they have 60 people and a few more still to hire. Of the 60, many are returning staff.
"Usually it seems like a lot of our staff members return until they find more permanent, full-time employment," Steuber said.
Amanda Heinze, who took on the new role of pool manager last year, will be returning as well.
Even without new features this year, the pool has many to offer including two large slides, diving boards, a climbing wall, lily pads, a lap pool, kiddie pool with many water features and a concession stand.
The aquatic park not only brings in people from Fairmont and Martin County, but from the larger community, as well.
"A lot of the groups we get have been long-standing. We have groups that have scheduled with us from Mankato and Iowa. A lot of them are pleased with our facility and how clean it is and how wonderful our staff are," Steuber said.
The aquatic park is also always happy to have groups come in and utilize the pool during private rentals. In the past, EMPOWER has hosted a free swim for students in Martin County after hours at the aquatic park. This year the event will be held from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on June 15.
"Sometimes we know a group is coming and it's planned, and sometimes it's unannounced groups or organizations meeting at the pool," Steuber said.
Open swim will be held on weekdays in June from noon to 6 p.m. and noon to 8 p.m. on weekends. In July and August, hours will be noon to 8 pm. on weekdays and weekends.
The aquatic park also offers tiny tot swim from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from July 18 to Aug17. This is time set aside for young children and a guardian to come in and use the facility before it opens to the public.
"We don't turn the water features on until about halfway through. We play fun music. Everyone really enjoys it," Steuber said.
Other information on water fitness classes and swimming lessons can be found on the city's website at fairmont.org under the visitors tab.
As for admission, Steuber said, they're fortunate that prices have been able to remain the same this year. Daily admission is $7 for people age 2 and up and seasonal memberships are available as well.
"It's a great atmosphere to work at and a super fun place to lounge at on the hot summer days. It's a big draw for Fairmont," Steuber said.