The East Muskingum Swimming Pool, a New Concord institution for many years, is getting a new owner and a new name. This spring, the village of New Concord began the process to purchase the pool from the East Muskingum Swimming Pool Association (EMSPA), renaming the facility the New Concord Area Pool. The village, pool volunteers and NCAARD have been hard at work giving the pool a facelift and planning a summer of fun programs beginning with an Opening Party on May 30th.
The pool is located on John Glenn School Road, across from the high school. The facility includes the adult swimming pool, a kiddie pool, a basketball court and the NCAARD SkateSpot. Village, NCAARD and EMSPA volunteers have been hard at work updating the pool and facilities. The pool has been repainted, the furniture cleaned, the pavilion straightened, the bathrooms freshened up, and the concession stand updated and stocked for the season.
"We have come to a pivotal point with the New Concord Swimming Pool,” Mayor Greg Adams explains. “It has enjoyed a valued tradition of providing an affordable swimming spot for the people of New Concord and the surrounding community. There has been a great board of dedicated individuals over the years who made this possible. We are hopeful that with continuity coming with the Village (who will soon officially own the pool), NCAARD, and Friends of the Pool, together we can move forward to re-energize the pool and couple it with newly added recreational opportunities.”
The pool will begin its summer hours Friday, May 29th, with daily open swimming from 12 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1p.m. to 5p.m. on Sundays. A grand opening party is planned for Saturday, May 30 from 7p.m. to 9 p.m. For five dollars a person, area residents can enjoy a performance from local band The Nothings from Nowhere, free pizza and a first look at the new and improved New Concord Area Pool. The SkateSpot will also open May 30th with a skate jam and raffle to benefit the skate park.
While the pool’s sale has cancelled EMSPA’s lifetime memberships, 2009 season passes are available to former members and newcomers. Student and senior passes can be purchased for $75, adult passes for $100, senior couple passes for $125 and family passes for $150. Those who purchase passes before May 15th will receive an additional 10 percent off the price. Considering the pool’s $5 daily rates, a season pass can pay for itself in as little as 15 visits to the pool. Season pass forms are available at Village Hall, the NCAARD office at 4 Comin Street, and at various local businesses. The pass will also entitle purchasers to 10 to 15 percent off Fieldhouse memberships. For more details, see the village of New Concord website at www.newconcord-oh.gov or find the link through NCAARD’s website: www.ncaard.org.
This transition ushers in expanded pool services. EMSPA’a dedicated volunteers and staff will still be active at the pool, while the New Concord Area Arts and Recreation District (NCAARD) will bring its programming experience to the facility.
“The transfer of the pool allows NCAARD more opportunities to provide fun and exciting programs for all ages,” explains NCAARD program director Erin Stevic . “By partnering with the pool’s staff and volunteers, NCAARD will help promote traditional pool programs and support new events.”
A complete list of pool programs will be published in the NCAARD summer newsletter. Pool program flyers will be distributed throughout the village and the information will be posted online at www.ncaard.org. Veteran pool goers will note that many of the old programs will remain in effect at the pool including lap swims, Thursday night moonlit swims, swim lessons, Battle of the Bands and Christmas in July. NCAARD also has some new plans for the area pool; programs such as water aerobics, Friday Fun nights, and day camps will make their debut this summer.
The village will use the revenue from the pool to help continue its operation and improvement. They are also looking to attendance numbers and income to prove that there is still an interest in the pool and its programs.
“It’s important for pool users to understand that continued support of the pool is critical to insure future operations,” NCAARD president, Kathy Normansell, said. “This support may come in the way of purchasing a season pass and attending the pool programs, as well as through volunteer help.”
If you would like to learn more about the New Concord Area Pool, buy a preseason pass, make a donation to the capital improvement fund, or become a Friends of the Pool volunteer, contact the NCAARD office at 826-2293 or e-mail ncaard@newconcord-oh,gov, Look for pool updates and programs on the NCAARD website: www.ncaard.org.
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