Licking Aquatic Center opens
Photo by Shari Harris
Sunday was a perfect day for enjoying the afternoon at the Licking Aquatic Center.
By Shari Harris
Publisher
No one anticipated when the City of Licking was preparing the pool for opening in May that the actual season opener of the Aquatic Center would be on August 25. There were even times, midway through the summer, when many believed they wouldn’t open until 2025. So the City celebrated Sunday afternoon by offering free admission and by giving away hot dogs, chips and a drink.
On hand to serve and cook hot dogs were Mayor Keith Cantrell, City Administrator/Clerk Rhonda Kirkwood, Asst. Supt. of Utilities Donnie Trout, Deputy City Clerk Barbara Rodgers, and City employee Gary Hassell.
Leaking pipes postponed the opening for three months. If you take a walk around the deep end of the pool, you’ll see evidence of the repairs made. A square cut was made in the concrete to access the pipes, and after the repairs were made, a concrete patch, which is lighter in color than the surrounding concrete, was used to seal the hole.
Photo by Shari Harris
The lighter gray concrete in the forefront of the photo shows where they had to remove part of the deck to access the pipes below for repairs.
The Aquatic Center will be open through September 15th. Hours will be: Monday through Friday, 4 – 7 p.m.; Saturday, 12 – 7 p.m.; and Sunday 1 – 7 p.m. On Labor Day, Monday, September 2, they will be open from 1 – 5 p.m.
Per the new rules this year, an emergency contact form must be filled out for children 13-16 years of age. If a child is under age 13, they must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older.
Photos by Shari Harris
