Upgrade coming for venerable Glenloch Recreation Center?

The swimming pool area at the aging Glenloch Recreation Center could be getting an upgrade. The Peachtree City Spray Park Exploratory Committee in a presentation to the Peachtree City Council on Feb. 18 recommended that the swimming pool area at Glenloch be outfitted with a spray park while retaining the main pool and baby pool. The council will consider the recommendation during upcoming budget talks.

The committee reported that the Glenloch pool has seen a decline in revenues, and particularly in users, during the past several years. The 2,470 users in 2012 diminished each year to a total of 1,501 users in 2015. Revenues from admissions totaled $6,773 in 2012 while 2015 revenues totaled $5,489.

The recreation committee in exploring ways to enhance participation and revenue at the complex determined that adding a spray park featuring ground-based jets, water buckets and water umbrellas positioned in a designated area within current pool facility would boost resident attendance.

Spray parks put a small quantity of water on a pad and are popular with pre-teen children and parents.

The committee proposed three options. Option 1 would accomplish needed repairs to the current facility. At a total of $36,540 the project would add or replace ladders, shade/tables, stairs with handrails, perform work on the current baby pool and include an optional slide.

Option 2 would cost $310,200 and would remove the baby pool and large pool and install a 3,600 sq. ft. wet play area for the spray park and a 2,800 sq. ft. space designated for private parties. The wet play area would also include 6,100 sq. ft. of dry deck. This option would include fencing, parking upgrades and would add shade structures and benches.

Option 3, the option recommended by the committee, would carry a cost of $288,340 and would retain the large pool and baby pool and would add a 1,200 sq. ft. splash pad and 600 sq. ft. of concrete decking. Option 3 would also include shade elements, needed repairs, add fencing and tables, upgraded parking and a slide for the main pool.

Committee members expressed the belief that adding the spray park while retaining the main pool and baby pool would potentially double attendance at Glenloch.

The committee said actual 2015 revenues at the Glenloch pool, including admissions and swim lessons, totaled $9,007. Expenses for the period total $18,090 and represented a 50 percent cost recovery.

Estimated revenue and expense figures if Option 3 is implemented would lead to a 71 percent cost recovery. Estimated expenses would total $21,756 while revenues from admissions, lessons and rentals for events such as birthday parties are expected to total $15,496.

It was noted that 11 birthday parties were held at the Kedron facility during the summer months of 2015 where the facility was available only on Saturdays and Sundays. There were also two private party rentals at the Pebble Pocket pool in 2015. Party rentals at Glenloch will be available during all operating hours and after hours.

While money has been spent on renovations at the Glenloch recreation complex, committee members contacted other spray park facilities across the country and found that those facilities reported the spray parks were well-used by their communities. Those communities that closed their main swimming pool and replaced it with only a splash pad said they regretted doing so.

The committee asked that council members consider Option 3 as part of the upcoming budget process.

Also at the meeting, City Manager Jon Rorie said the Pebble Pocket swimming pool is facing significant issues, including structural problems such as hollowed-out and cracked concrete, and will be demolished. Rorie said minimal repairs would cost at least $40,000 along with a needed pool cover at $8,100. The demolition cost will be $8,000.

Rorie said the pool has seen no general use since 2011. Since that time the pool has been open only for swim lessions and parties. Rorie said the restroom facilities at Pebble Pocket will remain in place.

Pebble Pocket was built in the 1970s and is the city’s second oldest swimming pool. The oldest pool, Clover Reach, was previously closed, Rorie said.

Members of the spray park committee included Peachtree City Recreation Department Director Cajen Rhodes, Program Manager Quinn Bledsoe, recreation advisory board member LeRoya Scott and local residents Erin McDowell, Laura Thompson, Jolene Robichaux, Will Harper and Jed Munford.