As the heat picks up in Elizabethton, one accessible location to relax at is expecting heavy foot traffic this season.
The Elizabethton Parks and Recreation Board met Monday and approved the schedule and rates for the 2017 year at the Franklin Pool nestled inside the Joe LaPorte Recreation Facility.
Opening day for the pool is May 27 and closing day will be September 4 this year. The pool will be opened Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5:40 p.m., opened Saturday 10 a.m to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Season ticket passes for the pool can be purchased once again for $80 this year. The passes are good for 40 daily admissions and can be used by more than one family member.
Regular admission is set at $3 with children under the age of five years old admitted for free with a paying adult. All children under the age of 12 years old must also be accompanied by a paying adult.
Minor increases were also approved by the board for group rates and rental opportunities.
Daily admission for groups of 20 or more individuals with be $2 and adult supervisors that attend with youth groups will also pay the same amount. Youth organizations that attend the facility must have one adult per 12 youth.
Private evening parties will be scheduled for a two-hour period and will begin at 6 p.m. according to Parks & Rec. A party of 49 patrons or less will be $150 while a party of more than 49 patrons will be $225.
The pavilions at the facility will also be able for reservation during hours of operation for $25 per hour.
Fulltime City of Elizabethton employees receive free admission to the pool while family members of employees will be charged $2. Children requirements remain the same as general admission.
Questions of city rates, rentals and reservations can be fielded by calling (423) 547-6280
Parks & Rec Director Mike Mains added the department is looking at meeting with contractors to begin work on the new splash pad at the facility. The city received a grant from the state to implement the piece of equipment due to issues occurs with the facility’s baby pool. Tentatively, construction is pegged to begin after the 2017 swim season in September.
The Joe LaPorte Recreation Facility is a 3.9-acre facility that features an Olympic-sized swimming pool with two diving boards, a fenced in kiddie pool, acres of grass area for lounging and two covered pavilions inside a gate facility.
Patrons attending the facility also have the chance to take part in activities at Sycamore Shoals State Park and the Tweetsie Trail – which is adjacent to the pool.
David Nanney, who serves as the recreation manager for the department, added the pool would soon be hiring lifeguards for the 2017 season.
The position includes supervision of all patrons that visit the pool, performing daily maintenance, administering first aid and CPR, completing accident reports and other duties assigned.
Minimum requirements for lifeguards include lifeguard certification and current CPR and basic first aid certification. The starting rate of pay for the position is set at $7.32 and applications will be accepted next months.
For questions about Franklin Pool or possible lifeguard positions, contact Parks & Rec at (423) 547-6440.