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Blue Springs, MO —
Bill Shalley cannot wait until Memorial Day weekend when The Blue is unveiled to the Blue Springs community.
“Our goal is to use this facility to the best of our ability,” said Shalley, manager of The Blue at the Centennial Pool-Plex. “We are doing as much as we can to spruce things up for the community.”
The Blue Springs School District took control of management and operations of The Blue, which is across from Blue Springs High School, Jan. 1. The city of Blue Springs still retains ownership of the facility and all capital costs will be split bewteen the city and school district.
Shalley said in the last few weeks, the pools have been repainted, a new water heater and chlorinator have been installed, and there is a new controller system for the swimming pool. The pools have also be drained to fix leaks.
While the indoor, six-lane pool has been open throughout the spring, the two outdoor pools will open for the summer May 26. The pool is also a summer site that will offer free lunches to students 18 and younger.
“We will have the slides running and the toys in the wading pool,” said Shalley, who also serves as the Blue Springs High School boys and girls swimming and diving head coach. “We have also put up our ‘Funbrellas,’ which are giant umbrellas surrounding the outside pool. We are very excited.”
One of the ways The Blue is attempting to increasing membership is through a new membership drive. Family passes are available for $105 from schools in the Blue Springs School District. A donation of $15 will then be made to the school’s PTA. After May 25, however, the passes return to their normal price of $120. The pass is good through Labor Day.
“What a great way to come out here, have fun and get a free meal (through the lunch program),” Shalley said. “Having one school-aged child eat lunch here for a month and the pass is paid for. It is cheaper than many of the other city pools. You just can’t beat that.”
Swimming lessons have also been received through help from the American Red Cross. Shalley said instructors now have the ability to work within a program, allowing students to move up a level if they are ready. Before, he said, instructors could only teach a certain set of skills in each class.
“People loved our swim lessons this spring,” he said. “We have six levels now and will be added two more this fall that teach more advanced skills such as junior life guard training. We are even close to filling up some of our summer sessions already.”
Bill Shalley cannot wait until Memorial Day weekend when The Blue is unveiled to the Blue Springs community.
“Our goal is to use this facility to the best of our ability,” said Shalley, manager of The Blue at the Centennial Pool-Plex. “We are doing as much as we can to spruce things up for the community.”
The Blue Springs School District took control of management and operations of The Blue, which is across from Blue Springs High School, Jan. 1. The city of Blue Springs still retains ownership of the facility and all capital costs will be split bewteen the city and school district.
Shalley said in the last few weeks, the pools have been repainted, a new water heater and chlorinator have been installed, and there is a new controller system for the swimming pool. The pools have also be drained to fix leaks.
While the indoor, six-lane pool has been open throughout the spring, the two outdoor pools will open for the summer May 26. The pool is also a summer site that will offer free lunches to students 18 and younger.
“We will have the slides running and the toys in the wading pool,” said Shalley, who also serves as the Blue Springs High School boys and girls swimming and diving head coach. “We have also put up our ‘Funbrellas,’ which are giant umbrellas surrounding the outside pool. We are very excited.”
One of the ways The Blue is attempting to increasing membership is through a new membership drive. Family passes are available for $105 from schools in the Blue Springs School District. A donation of $15 will then be made to the school’s PTA. After May 25, however, the passes return to their normal price of $120. The pass is good through Labor Day.
“What a great way to come out here, have fun and get a free meal (through the lunch program),” Shalley said. “Having one school-aged child eat lunch here for a month and the pass is paid for. It is cheaper than many of the other city pools. You just can’t beat that.”
Swimming lessons have also been received through help from the American Red Cross. Shalley said instructors now have the ability to work within a program, allowing students to move up a level if they are ready. Before, he said, instructors could only teach a certain set of skills in each class.
“People loved our swim lessons this spring,” he said. “We have six levels now and will be added two more this fall that teach more advanced skills such as junior life guard training. We are even close to filling up some of our summer sessions already.”
Shalley said he is looking forward to meeting the families and other community members coming to The Blue this summer. He said he believes they have created an environment where children can be educated on water safety and have fun at the same time.
“Swimming pool memberships took a big surge in the 1970s and 1980s. Now is the time for people to see what is going on and help us rebuild,” he said. “I admire places like Adventure Oasis and the new waterpark in Lee’s Summit. That is something Blue Springs should aspire to, but what we need to do is to continue to educate through our water classes, swimming program and health and wellness. This needs to become an important part of the community, and I feel very fortunate to have the staff here and support from both the school district and the city of Blue Springs. This is an exciting time.”
For more information about The Blue, visit its website at www.funattheblue.com.
