MOUNT VERNON — The second season of the new water park is in the books and it was a record one for the city.
Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Mavis said nearly 50,000 guests visited the pool/water park this season, thanks to some good, hot weather in the second half of the summer.
“We had more than one day with more than 1,700 patrons visiting. That’s much more than last year,” Mavis said. “People from other towns were coming later in the year. I think things went well this year. We’re pleased.”
Officials from the city and the water park met Wednesday to discuss the 2008 season and any changes or plans for next year.
A pool basketball area, more umbrellas and grassy areas and Frisbee golf were added prior to the 2008 season. Mavis said the basketball was the most popular addition. A storage freezer was also added in the concession area.
Because the zero-entry area was so popular with babies and their parents, Mavis said they are looking into possibly converting the baby pool into splash pads or something else. They may also look into bringing part of the regular basketball court inside the fenced-in area of the park, the need for more visible clocks and, in the long-range future, a lazy river.
Staffing, especially lifeguards, was a concern of everyone involved. Mavis said there were 43 lifeguards employed at the pool, but because of vacations and other issues such as graduations and school, they need closer to 60 to meet all the shift needs.
“We talked about the need for more guard training — to make sure we’ve got enough guards,” Mavis said. “We found it difficult to staff graduation weekend and the Labor Day weekend. We struggled to get enough personnel there. We’re going to work this fall on recruiting employees.”
In other news, Mavis said city police began enforcing the new 25 mph speed limit on East High Street on Tuesday. City Council voted Monday to lower the speed limit from 35 to 25 for East High Street from Park Street to the end of the road. A speed trailer has been placed on the street to remind drivers of the change.
The city has also begun towing automobiles to its new impound lot on Greenwood Avenue. Mavis said the poles for the new traffic signal at the intersection of Newark and Blackjack roads have been delivered and will be put into place this week. The curbs are in place for the turn lane which has been added there.
Things are also beginning to take shape farther out Blackjack Road as the walls have been poured for the new Sanoh building. The contractor is expected to complete the building by March 2009. Mavis said the city will begin the widening project for the road this week.
“It’s going to change the complexion of that area a lot,” Mavis said. “Things are moving along rather quickly. I’m pleased and I think Sanoh is pleased with the time frame.”
The city was expected to complete an Issue 2 application Friday for the water line on Wooster Road and Vernonview Drive. The city will be expected to pay half of the $550,000 project.
Another issue for which the city is looking at possible funding is the American National Can property. Mavis said the city could get $200,000 for hazardous material assessment and $200,000 for petroleum assessment from the U.S. EPA Brownfields Association. The city will have to file that application by Nov. 14. Once those assessments are done, the city will apply for state funding to help with the cleanup, Mavis said.
The city has a company assessing the old and new sewer interceptors at Center Run. It’s one part of the city’s plan to solve some of the infiltration in the area, Mavis said.
