Jim Protiva Newport Parks Director showing off the insides of the pool (photo by Kiera Morgan)
Anyone who has driven near the Newport Recreation Center has seen the contractors have been taking advantage of the good weather to get much work done as they can on the new Aquatic Center building. The siding and roofing are quickly going up, but what you cannot see is the progress inside the building. There are concrete floors for the new locker rooms that will be poured over the next few days and parking will be restricted in the ADA spaces between the Recreation Center and 60+ Center. The rebar for the lap and recreation pools is being set,and concrete for the floors for the two pools will be poured within the next 2 weeks resulting in similar parking restrictions.
Both the water sealer and the primer for the siding are yellow. When the siding is complete, the painters will paint the building a similar color as the existing Recreation Center. Thanks to a generous donation from the Ken Doerfler Sr. Foundation, the City was able to keep the current channel and spa in the construction contract. If plans continue to be on schedule with the Aquatic Center project the City is scheduled to take possession of the completed project on December 24.
A ribbon cutting grand opening celebration will be held soon after, in the early part of January. When completed the new Aquatic Center has been designed to include an eight-lane 25-yard competition pool; expanded locker rooms; a warm water multi-use pool; and seating for up to 300 spectators. The new center will replace the city’s current pool, which is over 50-years old. While work is still being done at the new Aquatic Center the current pool is open.
