After nearly a year of construction, Appleton families and city leaders celebrated the grand reopening of the Erb Park pool Wednesday.
The renovation completely revamped the nearly 40-year-old park and pool, putting in an Olympic-sized pool, two one-meter diving boards, a leisure pool, water slides, tennis courts and basketball courts, among other amenities.
The new pool is ADA accessible so everyone can enjoy it.
"For the first time, I'll be able to roll up to the concession stand and but my own hotdog..come back to a table and enjoy it," said Joe Martin, District 4 alderman in Appleton. "For me this is more than just two pools, this is something I've never done."
The renovations came in under budget at $10 million.
"It's super economical," said Dean Gazza, City of Appleton Parks and Recreation Director. "You now have this all summer long, some place to come. I can't imagine being a neighborhood kid around here. So they'll be able to drive up on their bike."
Many communities are not replacing neighborhood pools because of cost, Gazza explained, but Appleton wanted to complete this project for the community, and to draw in people from outside Appleton for added revenue.
Last year, Erb Pool had 1,268 season passes. This year, the city already has 1,094 season passes without being open for a full season.
If you would like to apply for an annual swim pass, the application can be found here.
Daily pool rates are $4 for adults and $3 for kids ages 4-17 and senior citizens.
You can also purchase a punchcard for 12 swim admissions for the price of 10. Youth and senior cards are $25 and adult cards are $35.
Open swim takes place every day from 1-8 p.m. with Saturdays closing a bit earlier at 6 p.m.
The city will be hosting a "dive-in" movie at the new pool on July 23. The event is free and the movie, Trolls, will begin at dusk.
For more information on the newly renovated park and pool, visit the Appleton Parks and Recreation website here.
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