Cravens Pool is still expected to open on Memorial Day weekend, with construction on the totally redesigned facility slated to begin by the end of the month.
Cravens has been closed for each of the last 4 summers, first because of the pandemic and then because of the number of repairs needed to remain in compliance with health regulations.
Parks and Recreation Director Amanda Rogers told City Commissioners on Tuesday that the $1.985 million project should finally see some progress in the coming weeks. W Principles, LLC is the contractor on the project.
“The contractors are due to mobilize the last week of this month,” she said. “They think demo will take about 3 weeks, then they’ll start with construction. They are telling me they are on schedule and they are ready to go.”
City Commissioner Pam Smith-Wright said during the meeting that she’s “like for the public to know that the City has done all it can do as far as getting this project off the ground, and that any delay has to do with the contractors, and not the City.”
Mayor Tom Watson noted that the relatively small size of the project limits the number of contractors interested in bidding.
Assistant City Manager Leland Hancock echoed that thought.
“It’s such a specialized project,” he said. “There are a lengthy set of rules to work through, so there are just a small group of contractors that are interested in a project like this.”
The Parks and Recreation Department in July 2023 released renderings of the new pool layout. A video breakdown of the new design and features can be viewed here.
The shallow end will have a multi-level play structure with a slide, spray features, and accessible water tables. The center of the pool will feature shade structures and an in-water bench along the wall, allowing guests to sit in the pool. The deep end of the pool will include an aqua rope where guests can swing over the water and drop in, a water curtain, and a drop bucket structure that will spill water over guests when filled.
City Commissioner Bob Glenn said of the upgrades: “I’m excited for that project and what it brings to that side of the community. I think it’s wonderful.”
