City aquatic center on schedule to open in July
For the Hub City Times
MARSHFIELD – Marshfield’s new aquatic center should open about a month from now; that’s what city Parks & Recreation Director Justin Casperson told the common council on June 22.
Casperson said he is targeting a July 16 or 23 opening for the new Vandehey Waters, but a nationwide plaster shortage is holding things up.
“We were kind of waiting on plaster. It’s not plaster is delaying us, but we know there is a shortage, and our supplier has told us it will be here in two weeks and last week and the week after. So, we are going to keep shopping around and find it. As soon as we have it on site, then we will make plans from there. It’s probably the only box that is not checked at this point. As soon as we have it, we can kind of make a formal announcement,” Casperson said.
And while construction is not exactly on time, Casperson said the project is within budget.
“We have no anticipation of going over budget or spending what we don’t need to spend. Right now, everything is on budget and on par. So, we are not going to be spending additional monies that we don’t need to for things that we don’t need. So, right now we are on budget and it looks really favorable for us,” he added.
Casperson also said the city is still accepting donations for the project. He added that they just received a $5,000 for the sound system.
Casperson also noted that tiling is being installed inside the pool. He also said the perimeter fencing is being installed and lots of amenities are starting to arrive on site.
Light poles went up recently, and concrete walks and the pool deck went in this week.
Ground was broken last July for the new facility, on the same site as the former Hefko Pool, which disappeared from the city’s landscape last August, after 86 years of use.