Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool re-opens this weekend

The Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool on Providence Road is pictured above. (Photo by City of Oak Ridge)

The Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool opens for the season beginning Memorial Day weekend.

The pool will be open from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 29, through Monday, May 31, a press release said. Beginning June 1, summer hours will be in effect. Public swim is Monday through Friday from noon to 7 p.m., Wednesday nights from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The pool will also be open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to noon for 100-meter lap swim.

“As a reminder, areas of the pool may be closed at times depending on activities, attendance, and staffing,” the press release said. “The kiddie pool will remain closed this season for repairs.”

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Roane State re-opening Expo Center in phases

Roane State Community College prepares to re-open the Expo Center in Harriman. (Photo by Roane State)

Roane State Community College is re-opening its Expo Center in Harriman in phases.

The Henry/Stafford East Tennessee Agricultural Exposition Center is located on the Roane County campus in Harriman.

Beginning Wednesday, March 17, public riding will be offered by reservation only at the outdoor arena, a press release said.

Beginning Thursday, April 1, events will be permitted to resume at all Expo Center facilities, both indoor and outdoor.

The most up-to-date bookings will be posted on the online event calendar at roanestate.edu/expo.

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TVA to temporarily lower Melton Hill Reservoir

The Tennessee Valley Authority will temporarily lower Melton Hill Reservoir two to four feet to help property owners with their annual spring-cleaning activities, a press release said.

From Saturday, March 20, through Saturday, March 28, TVA will hold the reservoir between 790 and 792 feet to support dock repairs, shoreline stabilization, and litter pick up, the press release said.

TVA will return Melton Hill to its normal winter elevation of 794 feet by April 1.

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Windrock Park hosting Downhill Mountain Bike Nationals

The opening round of the USA Cycling National Downhill Series began at Windrock Park this week. It started Wednesday with the Tennessee National event. There are downhill and enduro races scheduled for this weekend.

“Some of the best riders in the world will tackle one of the toughest courses in the United States in the first competition of the year for the series,” a press release said. “Huge jumps and high speed descents are expected as pros ‘ride the rock” this week.”

The press release said a Red Bull Freestyle Jam on Friday was expected to be a highlight for riders and spectators, including a big air competition with prizes for best trick and best whip.

Keynote competitive events this week include a pro downhill final at noon Saturday and a pro enduro race on Sunday.

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Secret City Half Marathon, 5K on Saturday

The Secret City Half Marathon and 5K is in Oak Ridge on Saturday, and there will be some lane closures on city streets.

Registrations for the 5K are full, and there are fewer than 30 registrations left for the in-person half marathon, a press release said.

There is no limit for registrations for the virtual race, the press release said.

It’s a rare in-person half marathon in 2020, the release said. On race day, a time trial-style start will help ensure social distancing among the runners, after a temperature check for participants, the press release said.

More than 750 runners and walkers are expected to race, and the lane closures on city streets are to accommodate the competitors.

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Council approves $175,000 settlement with Billy Casper Golf Management

Centennial Golf Course is pictured above in Oak Ridge. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

The Oak Ridge City Council last week approved a $175,000 settlement to resolve a dispute between the city and Billy Casper Golf Management over the termination of the agreement to manage Centennial Golf Course.

The city owns the golf course, which is in east Oak Ridge. The city notified Billy Casper Golf Management in October 2017 that it was going to terminate the management agreement “for cause,” Oak Ridge City Attorney Ken Krushenski said in a memo to Council. But Billy Casper Golf Management contested the termination of the agreement, and the company’s attorney claimed that the city owed more than $520,000 in termination fees, Krushenski said.

The two sides negotiated, and the management company accepted the city’s offer of $175,000 to settle all claims, Krushenski said.

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