Published: May 19, 2008 09:05 am      

Close to ‘Paradise’

Five days remain before the opening of Paradise Cove at Gibson Bay, the city’s new family aquatic center located at Lake Reba Recreational Park.

The first day of business for the facility will be Saturday at 11 a.m., and Richmond City Manager David Evans said the moment will be nothing short of amazing.

“It’s great to actually be able to see it there,” he said. “It’s really an amazing feeling to see it through from the planning stages to the final stages. I think people will absolutely love it. It’s turned out very well. It’s very attractive and will be a good source of fun for the entire family.”

With gasoline prices on the rise, there has not been a better time to add more to the city’s recreational choices, Evans said.

“People are going to want to stay closer to home for entertainment,” he said.

Having the aquatic center will be just another aspect to make Madison County even more attractive to nearby residents, said Madison Judge-Executive Kent Clark.

“It’s going to be such an asset to the community,” Clark said at Friday’s State of the County Address. “People are going to come in from other counties to go to that pool.”

Clark also stressed the added economic impact that occurs when out-of-town guests come into the community.

The first year of operations for the aquatic center should yield about $500,000, Evans said.

That amount will include admission receipts and concession funds.

“Since it’s a new venture, that’s our best estimate,” he said. “After this first year, we’ll be able to give a more accurate account.”

Annual bond payments for the facility will be $387,000 a year, and the next largest expense will be pool management, lifeguard pay and pool chemicals which will total about $168,000, Evans said.

The facility will feature an eight-lane diving pool with two, one-meter diving boards, a children’s pool with a zero-depth entry, two 40-foot tall slides, a wider family slide and a smaller butterfly slide for younger children.

“We’re ready to add another slide in the future and we’re talking about adding a lazy river,” Evans said. “There is room to expand if the mayor and commission decide to do that”

The facility will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and from 1 to 8 p.m. on Sundays.

“Community Night” will be a free family swim every Friday from 5 to 8 p.m.

Special daily programming will include: Adult lap swim, 7 to 8:30 a.m.; swimming lessons, 8 to 10:45 a.m.; water exercise classes 6:30 to 8 p.m.; swim team practice 9:30 to 10:45 a.m.; and the party room is available for renting from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Daily admission fees will be $3 for children 6 to 12 years old, $4 for children 13 to 17 years old and senior citizens; and $6 for adults.

Children 5 years old and younger will be admitted for free.

A family pass for the season is $175; an adult pass, $90; youth and senior passes, $80; and children, $70.

Visit www.pool.richmond.ky.us for more information about the facility and what it has to offer.

Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 623-1669, Ext. 234.