Wednesday, April 4th, 2007

Pool house gets a makeover

By Margie Wuebker
Photo by Margie Wuebker/The Daily Standard

Work continues at the Minster Municipal Pool as a track hoe awaits the return of better weather before completing installation of a new water line to increase pressure. Village employees have spent much of the winter renovating the pool house built in 1969 and dedicated in May 1970.

MINSTER - Pouring rain and rumbling thunder did not stay village councilors from their appointed rounds - viewing work underway at the Minster Municipal Pool - prior to their Tuesday night meeting.
The interior of the pool house has been transformed from what Village Administrator Don Harrod describes as a "dingy, congested area" to one that is bright and open.
Work began in November as village employees, under the direction of Jim Kemper, gutted the interior. The timing was ideal as the winter months are often slower for some departments.
New plumbing, electrical wiring and lighting were added during the ensuing months while white glassboard sheeting and blue trim replaced the original tile. Coordinating blue paint covered interior doors with lighter blue curtains installed in each shower opening. Even the floor received much-needed attention with a speckled surface painted over the concrete.
"The pool was built in 1969 and dedicated in May 1970," Harrod said. "This is the first major work done inside the pool house since it opened."
Benches and lockers will be installed in the dressing rooms with new countertops added in the office/concession stand area.
Although he has no firm figures at hand regarding project costs, Harrod pointed out completing the work "in house" saved considerable dollars as the village did not have to pay prevailing wages, which are typically 25 percent higher.
"I like what I see," councilor Steve Kitzmiller said after viewing the improvements. "It certainly has come a long way. While the pool is not a big moneymaker for the village, it certainly is an asset to the community."
Mayor Dennis Kitzmiller agreed, adding "We have a good pool that we are trying to improve and make more attractive."
Work continues outdoors as weather permits. An original cast iron drain line is being replaced with PVC pipe before the big yellow digger and piles of dirt disappear from the landscape.
"The old line was corroded and pitted with holes," Harrod explained. "We did not have enough pressure so this should improve water turnover in the pool."
Two additional spray features will be added to the kiddie pool prior to the scheduled Memorial Day weekend opening. Harrod expects positive comments similar to those heard when the first spray feature debuted last year.
Officials continue to receive requests for a fiberglass water slide like those at newer pools in the area. They have applied for a Minster Fraternal Order of Eagles grant to cover the estimated $14,000 cost.
"It will be a spiral slide and not a three-story one," Harrod added.
Councilors are considering decorative fencing to replace the current chain link but no decision has been made as yet. Harrod will contact Superior Aluminum regarding the purchase of 1,000 feet of fence and assorted gates with village employees doing the installation. A previous estimate covering material and labor pegged the cost at $32,000.   
The pool house will open in early May with an employee on hand to sell season tickets during daytime hours.
Additional online stories on this date
Board takes vote after beer protesting crowd departs the meeting
Beer will be sold at the 2007 Mercer County Fair.
In a late-night vote after all spectators had left the Tuesday night meeting of the Mercer County Fair Board, members voted in favor of beer sales. Along with the vote, board members adopted 10 rules concerning alcohol sales. [More]
The chances for any high school baseball player to play at any level of professional baseball is very slight.
But for three local baseball teams, the chance to play at the professional baseball stadium is coming up in a week. [More]
Subscriber and paid stories on this date
ROCKFORD -Council learned the village is losing between 75,000 to 90,000 gallons of treated water a day from an unknown leak in its water system.
A
Fleece hats might be more appropriate this Easter than frilly bonnets.
The high for Easter is forecast at 40 degrees, and it won't lift anyone's spirits to know Christmas Day was warmer at 44 degrees.
Two former co-workers who admitted selling wire that did not belong to them received suspended jail sentences during a March 28 appearance in Mercer County Common Pleas Court.
All of the St. Henry Consolidated Local Schools parking lots will be resurfaced and painted in a few weeks.
During the regular board meeting Monday night, board members accepted a $23,000 bid for the job from Gavit Paving, North Star.
WAPAKONETA - The baler/conveyer recycling equipment bid went over estimate and must be rebid but a second bid to prepare a five-year operational plan was accepted at the Auglaize County Solid Waste Management District's special meeting Tuesday afternoon.
MINSTER - Plans for decorative detail in connection with the Hanover Street Reconstruction Project are not set in stone, or brick, for that matter.
Mercer County Fair Board members signed a contract Tuesday night to allow an area pilot to offer helicopter rides at this year's fair.
Not only will the new attraction give fair-goers something exciting to do, it could also prove to be a good money-maker for the fair, officials said.
ROCKFORD - The village swimming pool will not be able to open this summer unless more lifeguards apply for jobs, according to Village Administrator Jeff Long.
Public relations representative hired to get fast food restaurant involved with the communities it serves
People may have noticed the bright new copper roof on the McDonald's restaurant in Celina. But the new roof is just a small part of an extensive remodeling project that has changed the look of the eatery inside and out.