North Side Pool to undergo renovations

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From the WFMJ TV21 Web Site on 10/20/2005...

Work Begins On New North Side Water Park
Glenn Stevens

A major renovation project in Youngstown will give kids and families a new place to cool off and chill out next summer.

It's a project that's been in the making for nearly three years, but now the actual work is about to begin.

North Side Pool has been a fixture along Belmont Avenue for nearly 60 years. A dedication plaque shows it opened in 1939. The building and pool have needed repairs for some time.

"Because of the seepage, the filtration system it's antiquated and we need to update," says Park and Recreation Director Joseph McRae. "But the board decided since we were going to update why don't we go ahead and make the necessary corrections and make more like a water park then just a swimming pool."

The more than one-million dollar project will include a splash pad, slides, a lap pool and a picnic area.

"We want people to be able to get off work, come here, bring their picnic lunches, have some where to sit down, watch their kids swim and have a great day," says Third Ward Councilman Richard Atkinson.

Phase one of the project will renovate the bath house and locker rooms.

"We are going to start within a month," says Atkinson. "We've got bids out now for the roof, put on a new roof, we're going to put in glass block windows, we are going to re-do the showers and stalls and the places inside."

The project is being funded through Community Development funds and the Parks and Recreation Commission.

The goal is to award bids and get as much work done before the weather turns cold this winter and then finish the project early next year.

"We hope to have it ready by the time kids want to swim next summer."