After a yearlong hiatus, the Westminster Municipal Pool will reopen for swimmers on Saturday with new features. The pool will be open from noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Memorial Day, and again on June 3-4.
Beginning June 10, once the county’s public schools dismiss for the summer, the pool will be open daily, noon-7 p.m.
The pre-renovation pool was cracked and desperately needed repairs after more than 35 years of use, said Heather Mullendore, assistant director of the Westminster Department of Recreation and Parks.
With the first phase of a $3.5 million repair and renovation project complete, pool-goers will now have access to a waterslide, an additional racing lane, and four family restrooms that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Mullendore said.
“This was definitely a much-needed improvement,” she said. “The city did a fantastic job in that they didn’t just fix the problem, we actually expanded the pool.”
Updates also include a new, more energy efficient filtration system, Mullendore said.
The second phase of pool construction will bring a new splash pad and lap/learning pool. Those additions are on track to open next summer. Mullendore said the pool will not need to close again to accommodate the next phase of construction.
The Westminster Sting Rays swim team was consulted about the pool construction project; the needs of residents were also considered, Mullendore said.
“People had spoken out that this facility meant a lot to them, and I’m really proud that the city invested in this facility,” Mullendore said. “It’s going to have life now for many more years to come. “
Daily pool admission for Westminster residents is $10, or $13 for those who live outside the city. Children under the age of 2 are free with a paid adult admission.
Season-long pool membership costs $160 for residents, $195 for nonresidents, $300 for Westminster families or $390 for a family living outside Westminster. More information can be found at www.westminstermd.gov/221/Pool.
“When I was growing up I had a community pool that I was able to go to and it meant so much to me as a kid,” Mullendore said, “so I feel like it’s very rewarding to be a part of this project and knowing that we now have many more years of life that we’ve given this facility. We can then provide a source of recreation and memories for future generations to come.”
