There will be a few changes in the way the Aquatics Center at Baker Park does business this swim season, but opening early as some had hoped isn’t among them.
Patty Broyles, president of the New Castle Parks Board, appeared before the New Castle Board of Works Monday and asked if the community pool could be opened an hour or two early as some people requested on a survey conducted by the parks board in conjunction with drafting a master plan for the parks.
“This was in the five-year plan, this is what the citizens have asked for,” Broyles said.
Mayor Greg York said because of swimming lessons offered before normal business hours as well as early use of the pool by the Salvation Army and other groups, extending pool hours before the facility’s usual opening time isn’t feasible this summer. Extending hours beyond the normal closing time also doesn’t work because the facility is often rented for private parties during evening hours.
Broyles suggested monitoring pool use this summer and revisiting the idea of extending hours next summer. Board members agreed to that plan of action.
The aquatics center is tentatively scheduled to open for the season May 28, though that is dependent on the weather. Pool hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays.
The daily admission fee is $2; children 2 and under are admitted free of charge.
Season passes will no longer be available. Instead, those interested may purchase a 10-punch key tag for $20. A limited number of discounted punch tags will be available for income-eligible city residents for $10. Persons interested in applying for this discount or in more information about it should contact city clerk-treasurer Christy York’s office at 765-521-6803.
Broyles reported the parks board is working with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Henry to make the punch tags available to a limited number of county residents in need of assistance. Call BBBS at 765-529-4494 for more information about that discount option.
Board members also heard from Stephanie Morgan, a representative of the farmer’s market who requested permission to close the 100 and 200 blocks of S. Main Street Saturday mornings starting June 4.
Mayor York said there was some concern about closing Main Street and suggested the farmer’s market committee consider moving this year’s market to between 12 and Main on Race Street, or to the parking lot on the east side of the Justice Center, or to Race Street between Main and 14th, or to the gravel lot on the south side of the 1400 block of Broad Street.
“We want the Farmer’s Market to work. It’s a good thing and it’s great for the community. The citizens love it. We’re just trying to work with everybody,” board member Dave Copenhaver said.
It was agreed the mayor would work with members of the farmer’s market to find the best location for the annual gathering of area producers so the event can remain downtown while still giving residents a place to purchase locally sourced produce and other goods.
The board also conveyed six properties to local not-for-profit organizations in keeping with guidelines for the Blight Elimination Program so the properties can be demolished in the near future.
Five of the properties are being given to the local Interlocal Community Action Program and one to the Henry County Redevelopment Commission. The properties being deeded to ICAP are 1417 S. 19th St., 2619 Plum St., 2709 High St., 423 N. 18th St. and 1424 S. 19th St. The property being deeded to the HCRDC is located at 244 S. 23rd St.
In a final matter, Emily Platt, representing the New Castle-Henry County Public Library, asked for and received permission to close the back half of the city parking lot adjacent to the library from 10 a.m. to noon June 4 as part of the facility’s kick-off for its summer reading program.
