For the week of July 16 - 22, 2003

Aquatic Center is bursting its seams

---

By MATT FURBER
Express Staff Writer

The peak of summer is National Aquatic Week and the Blaine County Aquatic Center is bursting its seams. However, installation of the new water heater is nearly complete.

Junior members of the Wood River Dolphins swim team juggle space for morning laps. Express photo by Willy Cook

"The lane lines are packed," said pool director, Susie Wrentmore, who is in her second summer at the pool. "Last Saturday we had 160 kids in the pool at the same time. There is a steady increase in adult use. It is getting difficult to meet all needs.

Although days have been hot, when the original heater when out people were in for a cold dip in the mornings until it could be replaced.

"The old one went up in flames. This one is much more efficient. Instead of heating this room, it’s heating the pool," said the pool facility manager, Parke Mitchell, who was expecting the heat exchanger to be installed Monday. "I had budgeted for a new heater for next year. I missed it by a couple of months."

The outdoor pool is only a seasonal pool, open from Memorial Day to Labor Day each year, but it does have a foundation that could accommodate walls and a roof for year round use in the future. Mitchell said he spends six weeks in the spring getting the pool ready for the season and two weeks in the fall to close it down for the winter.

"It’s like starting from scratch every year," Mitchell said.

During the season the pool is scheduled for swimming lessons, lap or open swimming and aqua-aerobics from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays, Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

The pool accommodates swimmers of all ages and abilities and hosts a number of competitions for the Sagebrush League of southcentral Idaho that includes swimmers from Burley, Rupert, Wendell, Jerome and Twin Falls, and Jackpot, Nev.

"We have 500 plus swimmers," said Dolphins head coach, Chris Jafay. "We could easily fill an indoor (25 lane) 50 meter pool all the time. "

There appears to be room for growth, but the Blaine County Recreation District Board is giving the Janss Center and the YMCA time to figure out what they are going to do in Ketchum before they proceed with any development, said Wrentmore.

In honor of National Aquatic Week there will be a free open swim at the pool from 1:40 p.m. to 5:25 p.m. Wednesday, July 16. On Friday, ball players participating in the Ray Nelson Tournament, who show up in their uniforms, can cool off for free. Open swim will be extended from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

 

The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.