Saltville officials dropped anchor Tuesday in discussions of the proposed wave pool in the town, tabling the matter for further discussion.
Saltville Town Manager Steven Johnson told the council in July that a swimming pool contractor who works across the eastern United States proposes to build a wave pool that would replace the aging town swimming pool that leaks both water and in turn town dollars.
“The pool costs us money hand over fist to keep it open every day,” Mayor Jeff Campbell said at the time.
Johnson said the nearest wave pool is in the Gatlinburg area. Such an attraction could pay big dividends for Saltville as it builds the tourism segment of its economy.
Council member Todd Young said then a wave pool would draw people from Marion, Glade Spring and Chilhowie who would pay an admission fee. On Tuesday he added Abington to that list.
The wave pool would be located in the area from the tennis courts back toward the center of town. Campbell said in July “very few people are using the tennis courts, and people are not coming to the pool. It’s old, old hat and not very attractive. We’ve got to stop spending money on it.”
On Tuesday Johnson reported the town received a bank’s preliminary approval to loan the roughly $600,000 construction cost. Annual debt service would be $41,500 for 20 years.
Campbell said the town “is losing $35,000 now on the pool.”
Council member Todd Young recommended proceeding with the project, but his colleague Sabrena Ison was concerned about the tennis courts. “Can the tennis courts be moved? Some people use it, but not much. As soon as they know they’ll be gone, they’ll want it then.”
Council member Neil Johnson asked that a decision be delayed to give time “to look at it more closely.”
Council member Danny Maiden agreed. “I think we need more discussion.”
Being a native of Saltville, I read with interest the article pertaining to building a wave pool in town. Having graduated from UNC with a B.S. in Parks and Recreation Administrtion, and having worked with the US Marine Corps for 30 years, I would like to pass on some serious concerns before this project is voted on: (1) wave pools are great and generate a lot of income, however, safety is a major concern and requires more attention than conventional swimming pools. (2) Wave pools require more lifeguards than conventional pools because of the water movement and constant surveilance of the patrons utilizing the pool. (3) Children under four (4) feet tall should be required to wear a US Coast Guard approved flotation device in order to swim in the pool.
Having managed three pools 2-50 meter and 1-25 meter pool for over 23 years, I can over-emphasize the importance of lifeguard training and srict safety requirements if a wave pool project is approved. Again, wave pools are great and should generate a lot of interest...but proceed with caution.
Posted by Jim Taylor from Morehead City, NC on 08/23 at 10:26 PM
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