New pool makes big splash

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By Duante Beddingfield

[email protected]

EATON — Over 400 people of all ages lined up to be among the first to enjoy the new Main Street Aquatic Center on Friday, May 27.

The Memorial Day weekend kickoff opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony featuring speeches from local officials including mayor Dave Kirsch. The new, $1.9 million facility stands on the site of the old Eaton Community Pool, a beloved summer destination in the community for over 50 years.

The first to speak that day was former mayor Gary Wagner, for whom the pool has always held special meaning.

“I graduated in 1963,” Wagner said, “and the pool was built in ‘64. I also became a city employee in ‘64, and bought my membership six months before the pool opened, so I’ve been invested in this for a long time.”

“This is awesome for the community,” said City Manager Brad Collins. “This has taken about two years to happen. In late 2014, discussion began about the future of the pool, and the facility was in pretty bad shape. A pool committee was gathered, and then there were some generous donations made that allowed us to create what you see here today. It didn’t take long at all. They closed two weeks early to get a head start, but everything that was here was removed, and everything that’s here now is brand new. The timeline was very impressive.”

The opening coincided with what happened to be the hottest day of 2016 to date, with mercury peaking at 89 degrees amid sweltering humidity under open blue skies. Within minutes after the gates opened, the twin water slides had a line dozens long, teenage boys were doing cannonballs into the deep end, the lawn space was filled with women stretched out on towels taking in the sun, toddlers were running around in the new splash play area, and the air was filled with laughter.

“It’s a gathering place,” said Mayor Kirsch. “40 years ago, when the pool was still new, it was just as busy as it is right now. When you think about it, that’s pretty amazing, and it’s great that the community still cares about this space and wants to come together here in the summer. It’s good to see this many people out here, enjoying it again for the first time. What a beautiful gift.”

Reach Duante Beddingfield at 937-683-4061 or on Twitter @duanteb_RH.

Over 300 guests attended the grand opening of Eaton’s Main Street Aquatic Center on Friday, May 27.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2016/05/web1_DSC_0159.jpgOver 300 guests attended the grand opening of Eaton’s Main Street Aquatic Center on Friday, May 27.

A young girl tries one of the two new water slides.
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Mayor Dave Kirsch addresses the crowd at the grand opening of Eaton’s Main Street Aquatic Center on Friday, May 27.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2016/05/web1_DSC_0380.jpgMayor Dave Kirsch addresses the crowd at the grand opening of Eaton’s Main Street Aquatic Center on Friday, May 27.

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A toddler enjoys the new splash zone.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2016/05/web1_DSC_0914.jpgA toddler enjoys the new splash zone.

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By Duante Beddingfield

[email protected]

Reach Duante Beddingfield at 937-683-4061 or on Twitter @duanteb_RH.

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