LAKEWOOD, Ohio -- After the snow, rain and cold weather, Mother Nature appears to be acquiescing with recent warm temperatures this spring. That means summertime is near, with pool season set to begin in Lakewood.
“Becks Pool in Madison Park is going to open up June 1 and Foster Pool in Lakewood Park is going to open up June 8,” Lakewood City Schools Community Recreation & Education Department Coordinator Leslie Favre Krogman said.
“When we open up the pools for the community, it really is the kickoff to summer. School is getting out, kids are getting ready and it really is the first major indicator of summer is here. So everyone is just really excited.”
After two unique pool seasons, Krogman is optimistic that the aquatic facilities will see a return to pre-pandemic levels of 60,000 annual visitors.
“We obviously drastically increased from 2020′s 23,000 turnstiles compared to 2021′s 52,000 turnstiles,” Krogman said. “The numbers looked a lot better.
“If it’s warm, I think we’re going to go pretty strong. People are waiting. Our pool pass sales have started picking up again because they know June 1 is right around the corner.”
This will be an interesting season at Foster Pool, which at more than half a century old is slated for a $4.5 million renovation this fall.
“It’s bittersweet,” Krogman said. “People realize this has been something that has been the staple in our community forever. But moving forward, next year, they’re going to see the transition.”
The Foster Pool redesign includes zero-depth entry, water slide and spray features, 25- and 50-meter lap lanes, a diving board, a splash pad, shade structures on the pool deck, family changing rooms and a renovated pool house.
Also on the city’s radar is renovating Becks Pool; however, no time frame has been announced.
“Once we complete Foster Pool, we’ll start the whole process over for Madison Park,” Krogman said. “This process took almost two years from when it first started.
“You want to make sure you get it right. You want to make sure you get community input and feedback and just see what’s best for that area.”
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