The Penticton Community Centre has made a big splash with residents in its first year after renovations, and the city has planned a celebration for the anniversary this Saturday.
While the slides and lazy river seem to be a hit with the kids, parent Alex McLean says the physical exercise and the easy-on-the wallet family activity keep him coming back.
“We come here three to four times a week sometimes,” said McLean. “When you compare it to going to the movies, it is quite cheap entertainment and great physical exercise at the same time. We pay $4 admission to the pool or $20 to go to the movies.”
Bringing her students from Okanagan Falls Elementary School to the pool once a week has been a great experience for the kids, said teacher Carol Church.
“They love it here. I think we are so lucky to have a program like this that is paid for so the kids can enjoy the pool. A lot of these kids have never been here before, whether that is because of the distance or for financial reasons,” said Church. “The goal is for physical fitness, but the kids love that they can use the diving board, water slides and lazy river.”
Besides those popular pool features, it also offers warmer shallower water, three lap lanes, bubble pit, spray features, a sauna, steam room and a hot tub as big as a pool on its own. And, the community is soaking it all in.
“It’s been actually fantastic and the numbers really show how the community has embraced it. Our numbers are absolutely through the roof,” said city general manager of recreation and facilities Chuck Loewen.
The recreation department produced a revenue of $1,113,000 while open for seven months in 2011, which is a $240,000 increase over the expected $873,000 revenue budget. In comparison, the 2009 revenue was $1,097,000 for the entire year. Loewen said the revenue budgets for 2012 have an approximate 50 per cent increase over 2009, and all other revenues from programs and facility rentals are at budget or exceeding budget.
“Usage has gone up and we are absolutely delighted the community has really taken us in as part of their own family so to speak, and have been here on a daily basis,” said Loewen.
The $23.3 million renovations and expansion to the pool and community centre earned accolades last year, with Stuart Olson winning a silver Award of Excellence in the general contractors category from the Vancouver Regional Construction Association. Loewen said the community should expect more changes to the community centre, as the fitness room is getting a $40,000 upgrade including a new treadmill, upright bike, recumbent bike, two spin bikes, upper body ergometer, smith rack, a stretching bench and accessories such as kettle bells, pyrometric boxes and two TVs installed in the corners of the room that overlooks the pool.
“We lost lots of clients when the pool closed during construction and they have come back in droves since last fall. Our fitness room has received a lot of interest to the point where we actually are going to be upgrading. Upgrading and replacing equipment allows more accessibility for seniors, for example, to use this equipment. Our new tenant, Dale Charles Physiotherapy Sports Clinic, will use the area with their clients as well as the pool,” said Loewen.
A celebration to mark the first anniversary is scheduled for Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. A formal cake cutting takes place at 10:30 a.m. which will be followed by games for families, especially children. Plans include the Par-T Perfect giant blow-up bounces, a visit from the Penticton Fire Department and meeting the JCI day camp leaders for face painting, bubble blowing, parachute games and more. All of the celebration events are free.
As a fundraiser to support low-income families to send their children to recreational camps and programs, a toonie barbecue will be held. To encourage the public to come out to the celebration, the city is discounting everything for the day. Admission to the pool, fitness room and drop-in sports during regular scheduled hours will only cost $1.
Prizes will also be drawn for free memberships — with one-month, three-month, six-month and year-long memberships to be given away. Winners can choose either a pool or fitness room membership. One child will also win the opportunity to go to summer camp for free in July, valued at $124.
In addition to the festivities, the new partnership of the Dale Charles Physiotherapy Sports Clinic will also be celebrated with an inaugural ribbon cutting ceremony at 11 a.m.
