Crystal City residents will soon have a new way to make a splash at the Municipal Pool, set to open this weekend ahead of Memorial Day.
The Crystal City Park Board recently paid $35,309.97 to purchase and have a new slide installed at the pool, 1400 Dick Cook Drive.
City officials said they hope the slide is ready to be used this weekend.
The blue 7-foot-6-inch-tall, half-tube slide features a 19-foot-long corkscrew twist runway and a spiral staircase, and it can accommodate sliders up to 325 pounds. The slide has waist-high safety handrails and is constructed of heavy-duty, roto-molded resin supported by a commercial grade steel frame.
Mauro Carranza, a park board member, said the pool used to have a slide, but it was broken several years ago.
He said a water line will be hooked up to the new slide, shooting water down the slide.
Carranza said the pool is fully staffed with 13 lifeguards this summer, two more than last year’s 11.
He said extra staff was needed because park board members expect more people to use the pool and purchase more food and refreshments at the expanded concession stand this summer.
He also said the additional staff will be available to work parties and events, adding that parties nearly every night during the summer, which can stretch staffing.
“If somebody has to take a break or vacation, I think it just makes it easier that we have a couple more (employees) so we can be more flexible,” he said.
Pam Meese, manager of The Summit at Crystal City Park event and meeting room, said the city is trying out new pool events this summer, including a “Swimming with a Mermaid” event and a “Dive-In Movie.”
The “Swimming with a Mermaid” event is set for 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 29, when children will have the chance to interact with a certified diver wearing a prosthetic mermaid tail. A small fee over the regular admission price to the pool may be charged to take part in the event, but the exact price has not yet been decided, Meese said.
The “Dive-In Movie” event will begin around dusk Saturday, Aug. 3, when attendees will get to watch a movie while either floating in the pool or lounging poolside. Admission will be $7 for 3 and older, and it is free for those 2 and younger.
The movie has not been announced, but Meese said updates will be posted on social media.
Meese said the pool also will offer swimming lessons this year in four age groups; parent with child (age 6 months through 3 years); preschool aquatics (ages 4-5); beginner (ages 6-7); and intermediate (ages 8 and older). All classes are taught by a certified American Red Cross Water Safety instructor.
Pre-registration will be required. Registration for all classes will begin Saturday, May 25. To register, call 636-524-3621.
Meese said the pool also has a handicap accessible lift to help those with mobility issues enter the pool. She said the pool has had the lift for some years, but it was stored out of sight until a patron requested to use it. This summer, however, the lift will be available for use at all times.
“We are so excited for this upcoming pool season,” Meese said.
Carranza said he, too, believes this summer will be a good year for the pool.
“I think the pool is going to be really nice,” he said. “I think people are going be surprised by it, and hopefully they come out.”
The pool will open for the season on Saturday, May 25. Public swim hours are noon to 6 p.m. every day. Adult swim hours are 10 a.m. to noon Mondays through Fridays. The pool may be rented for parties from 6-8 p.m.
Admission is $6 for those 10 and older; $4 for those 3-9 years old; free for those 2 and younger or 65 and older.
For more information, visit the Crystal City Missouri Municipal Park and Pool section on the Crystal City website, crystalcitymo.org, or the Crystal City Municipal Park and Pool Facebook page.