The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will hold its first public open house for the Outdoor Pool Renovation Project this month.
On Tuesday, June 13, at 6 p.m., the public is invited to join the department for a brief presentation at the Scarboro Community Center followed by an interactive open house, a press release said.
[Read more…]
Oak Ridge Mayor Warren Gooch will discuss the future of the outdoor pool on a local television show this evening.
The “Between The Lines” talk show is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, July 29, on BBB-TV, Comcast Channel 12. It will be online at bbbtv12.com and broadcast in Campbell County on Comcast Channel 230.
[Read more…]
The Oak Ridge City Council will consider the purchase of up to about $60,000 worth of chlorine briquettes for the city’s outdoor pool on Providence Road this evening (Monday, July 12). Approval of the purchase would ensure that the large, unique pool can continue operating past mid-July, according to the city.
The purchase of the chlorine became controversial after Council member Rick Chinn, who is mayor pro tem (like a vice mayor), voted against the purchase of the briquettes last month. Chinn said he did not want to spend any more money on the pool. Residents and pool users responded with outrage, with hundreds of comments posted to social media. Some pledged to oppose Chinn’s re-election to Council next year.
Last month’s vote was for a sole-source purchase that hadn’t been released for a bid, possibly because the city’s supplier, Duffield Aquatics, had been identified as the sole provider in the region. The city uses Pulsar chlorinating briquettes supplied by Duffield Aquatics.
The sole-source purchase meant that last month’s vote required a unanimous vote. So, Chinn’s vote against the purchase meant it wasn’t approved.
[Read more…]The City of Oak Ridge has enough chlorine to continue operating the outdoor pool until a new shipment arrives in mid-July, and the Oak Ridge City Council is expected to approve a single bid for chlorine briquettes during its July 12 meeting.
In June, City Council did not approve a sole-source contract to buy more chlorine briquettes after Oak Ridge City Council member Rick Chinn, who is mayor pro tem, objected to spending money on the pool. The sole-source contract required unanimous approval, so the one “no” vote meant the purchase was not approved.
Before the vote, Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Director Jon Hetrick had told the seven-member Council that the city might have enough chlorine to last through the end of June and possibly into July. Running out of chemicals to treat the pool would result in having to shut it down, Hetrick said. However, in response to questions about a potential “break in service,” Hetrick said at that meeting that he didn’t have an accurate count of the amount of chlorine in stock at the pool.
[Read more…]The Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool on Providence Road is pictured above. (Photo by City of Oak Ridge)
Oak Ridge Mayor Pro Tem Rick Chinn, who proposed closing the city’s outdoor pool two years ago, objected to spending any money on the pool on Monday. That meant the city could not, at least for now, buy more chlorine for the large, unique pool on Providence Road, near Oak Ridge High School.
Before the vote, Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Director Jon Hetrick had told the seven-member Council that the city might have enough chlorine to last through the end of June and possibly into July. “Then we would run out of chemicals to treat the pool, and we would have to shut the pool down,” Hetrick said.
A purchase considered by the Oak Ridge City Council on Monday would have allowed the city to buy up to $60,000 worth of chlorine briquettes from Duffield Aquatics of Anderson, South Carolina. The purchase would have included about $25,000 for a shipment in early July and a cushion because of a shortage in the chlorine supply.
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The Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool on Providence Road is pictured above. (Photo by City of Oak Ridge)
Oak Ridge Mayor Pro Tem Rick Chinn, who proposed closing the city’s outdoor pool two years ago, objected to spending any money on the pool on Monday. That meant the city could not, at least for now, buy more chlorine for the large, unique pool on Providence Road, near Oak Ridge High School.
Before the vote, Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Director Jon Hetrick had told the seven-member Council that the city might have enough chlorine to last through the end of June and possibly into July. “Then we would run out of chemicals to treat the pool, and we would have to shut the pool down,” Hetrick said.
A purchase considered by the Oak Ridge City Council on Monday would have allowed the city to buy up to $60,000 worth of chlorine briquettes from Duffield Aquatics of Anderson, South Carolina. The purchase would have included about $25,000 for a shipment in early July and a cushion because of a shortage in the chlorine supply.
The rest of this story is available if you are a member: a subscriber, advertiser, or contributor to Oak Ridge Today.
Already a member? Great! Thank you! Sign in here.
Not a member? No problem! Subscribe here:
Basic
Pro
Temporary
If you prefer to send a check, you may do so by mailing one to:
Oak Ridge Today
P.O. Box 6064
Oak Ridge, TN 37831
We also have advanced subscription options. You can see them here.
We also accept donations. You can donate here. A donation of $50 or more will make you eligible for a subscription.
Thank you for reading Oak Ridge Today. We appreciate your support!
A nationwide lifeguard shortage is affecting the hours that Oak Ridge’s municipal pools will be open this summer, the city said in a press release Monday.
“Due to the lower number of lifeguards this year, there are not enough people to staff both pools for the same hours they were open in previous seasons,†Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Aquatics Manager Vonda Wooten said in the press release.
The indoor pool at the Civic Center will be open on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Swim lessons are from 9 a.m. to noon and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., the press release said. Open lap is from 12:15 p.m. to 4 p.m.
[Read more…]
The City of Oak Ridge will open its outdoor pool for the season starting June 15, which is later than normal, with changes due to COVID-19.
The pool normally has swimming hours Memorial Day weekend, and then opens for the season around the first of June.
This year, the main outdoor pool on Providence Road will be open, but the little pool for children will remain closed for the summer, the city said in a press release Friday. The indoor pool at the Oak Ridge Civic Center will remain closed through the summer.
A maximum of 200 people will be allowed in the pool area at one time, and reservations can be made online through Eventbrite. Families will be spaced apart. Restrooms will be open, but the showers and dressing rooms will not be. The picnic table area will be closed, and no public or private pool parties will be allowed. Swimming lessons are canceled for now.
In the press release, the city said the pool water is being treated with chlorine, a disinfectant that “wipes out” the virus. The main focus will be following social distancing and repeatedly sanitizing commonly used areas, the press release said.
Here are the changes that will be in effect:
[Read more…]
The annual Puppy Pool Party is scheduled for Sunday, August 18.
The Puppy Pool Party is scheduled the day after the season ends at the city’s Outdoor Pool on Providence Road. The last day for open swim at the pool will be Saturday, August 17, from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. The Puppy Pool Party will take place on Sunday, August 18, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
“This is the fourth year for the puppy pool party, an event that marks the end of the summer swimming season at the outdoor pool,” a press release said. “Owners may only wade in water up to knee deep and must clean up after their pet.”
Children are not allowed in the pool during the event, the press release said.
[Read more…]
The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department is extending open hours at the outdoor pool into the month of August. The new schedule will begin on Thursday, August 1, as follows:
A dog enjoys the Puppy Pool Party at the Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool on Providence Road. (Photo by City of Oak Ridge)
The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will host a Puppy Pool Party after the city’s Outdoor Pool closes for the season. The last day for open swim will be Saturday, August 18, from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. The puppy pool party will take place on Sunday, August 19, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
This is the third year for the puppy pool party, an event which marks the end of the summer swimming season at the outdoor pool. Owners may only wade in water up to knee deep and must clean up after their pet. Children are not allowed in the pool during the event. [Read more…]
Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge
The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will extend open hours at the outdoor pool on Providence Road into the month of August. The schedule is as follows:
*The 100 meter lap swim and kiddie pool will be closed for a special event on August 1, 2018. [Read more…]
The Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool on Providence Road is pictured above. (Photo by City of Oak Ridge)
The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will be hosting its first-ever Senior Citizens’ Day at the city’s outdoor pool next month.
The pool will be reserved exclusively for seniors age 50 and older on Wednesday, August 2, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., a press release said. The pool facility is located at 172 Providence Road.
Local life insurance company WoodmenLife will be on site as a sponsor, providing music and food for the event. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis while it lasts. [Read more…]
