Pool opening set May 26, splash park hopefully back in action Thursday

With 90-degree temperatures on Monday, we might feel summer creeping in but it's basically already arrived for the Greencastle Parks and Recreation Department.

"We are in May, and the aquatic center opens on Memorial Day Weekend (Saturday, May 26 to be exact), so our summer starts now," Park Director Rod Weinschenk said.

In fact, the city pool is already full of water and its filters and sanitary system have been up and running since Thursday, treating the water to assure that May 26 opening.

In the meantime, the glut of recent 80-degree days and a 90-degree Monday should have been a boone for the Bob York Splash Park but a problem with the filtering system has its opening on hold for the moment.

"I apologize," Weinschenk told the City Council at its May meeting, "I know we're in the midst of 80-degree weather but we're waiting on a part. There's an electrical issue in regard to a breaker that keeps the pumps running," he explained.

So that means the filter system is down at the splash park.

"But we should be open following a good water bacteria sample test for the State of Indiana," the park director said, adding that he is targeting this Thursday as the splash park opening "if everything comes together."

The splash park is open free of charge from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, weather permitting.

Staffing at the pool, which was an issue last year with lifeguards being difficult to find, is fine this year, Weinschenk said, noting that the pool now has a staff of 20 guards in place.

However, the city will still consider lifeguards who have their Water Safety Instructor (WSI) certification so they can teach learn-to-swim lessons, otherwise all lifeguard positions have been filled for the summer.

Two other positions remain open at the pool -- jobs that are shared between the concessions stand and the front desk, Weinschenk said.

Assistant Park Director Erin Ray manages the pool with River Buis and Mallary Meyer returning as assistant managers and Nailah Ray as concessions manager.

Returning lifeguards are Sal Martoglio, Kyle Young, Jack Howard, Mariah Monnett, Hector Lezama, Aidan Baker, Nick Young, Daniel Johnson, Nathan Gardner, Cody Sillery and Brady Sczerbik.

New lifeguards are Gillian Monnett, Catherine Weeks, Abigail Beauchamp, Emma Tobin, Zoe Weltz, Carlee Lane, A.J. Ezman, Annie Hershberger and Keira Wells.

Other summer employees approved by the Park Board at its recent meeting were Jack Riggle, Sam Hagen, Cole Strandberg and Austyn Pingleton, concessions; Sydney Kallen, Savannah Edwards and Anastasia Woods, admissions; and Dalton Matthews, concessions and admissions.

SPARK employees this summer are Nancy Hagen, Rachel E. Beck, Megan Allen, Michelle Miller, Troyanna Jefferson and Isaiah Long.

The park summer maintenance staff is composed of David Williams, Ethan Mooney, Jorden Froderman, Matt Rigney and Lance Williamson.

Season pool passes ($55 per individual, $170 for family pass for four family members, with each additional person adding $30) are available for purchase online (www.greencastleparks.com) along with registration for swim lessons.

The pool will be open through Sunday, Aug. 12. Hours for open swim are noon to 5 p.m. daily and 5-7 p.m. for family swim.

Daily admission charges remain unchanged at $5 per person for those five and over. Age four and under are admitted free.