The pool heater for The Peter Christopher Aquatic Center in Wickliffe has recently been installed.
According to Service Director Ron Strauser, final adjustments will be made once the Coulby Park pool is filled.
Last year, the city began repairs on the Aquatic Center’s building, located at 28730 Ridge Road. Usually, it’s a challenge to get the center open and ready to go much earlier than when opening day comes around, said Recreation Director Tim Stopp.
“It’s a challenge sometimes to have everything operational right on day one when you have to wait until you get water in the pool and get everything going,” he said.
With the center being more than 20 years old, its operation is labor intensive, Stopp has observed.
“The Aquatic Center opened up in 2000, so everything’s starting to show its age,” he said. “We continually try to keep the pumps running and keep the heater running. It’s hard to know what’s going to be wrong with the facility until you put water in the pool and fire it up.”
In addition to Jindra Pool and the Orlando Spray Park, the Aquatic Center brings with it its own uniqueness. Being that it has more to offer, the center is the best attended during the summer months, Stopp said.
“It has all the bells and whistles — the lazy river, the slides, zero-entry and the splash house,” he said. “That’s where a lot of the kids are and where a lot of activity is.”
Wickliffe’s aquatics facilities’ tentative opening date is June 1.
Meanwhile, Strauser noted that Dominion East Ohio will be starting a large project on Euclid Avenue, which will include replacing the gas lines from Bellview Street to Empire Road. The project is slated to begin April 1.
With the gas mains under the sidewalks on both sides, the project will also entail digging up the road or sidewalk. The city will then be responsible to replace everything to their standards, similarly to what was done on Lloyd Road last year, Strauser said.
“There is a possibility of interference regarding the Memorial Day parade, but Dominion has assured the city they will be past Mt. Carmel by that time or at least have the area replaced with temporary backfill,” he said.
