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Wednesday, June 11, 1997
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Aquatic center's new roof keeps crowd dry
Roof also gives refuge from sun to spectators
By Graham Johnson Kansan staff writer
Parents sending their children off to the Lawrence Aquatic Center this summer won't need to send as much sun block thanks to the new roof on the pool side gazebo.
Contractors recently installed the roof after a year of budget delays. Although the roof was in the contractor's original plans, cost overruns delayed completion until this summer.
"We cut it out intentionally, because the contractor's bid was too high," said Ernie Shaw, superintendent of facilities and maintenance for Lawrence Parks and Recreation.
To the casual observer, the gazebo still unfinned. Only the center is roofed with the outer circumference providing only partial shade via a skeleton of wood beams. But pool manager Bob Lockwood said this was part of the gazebo's design. Heat and wind can circulate from underneath the structure, a very popular design for pool areas, he said.
Both Lockwood and Shaw said the center provided ample amounts of
"A lot of people especially older people that are there watching theri kids, will get out of the sun and sit completely in
the shade."
Supt. facilities and maintenance for Lawrence Parks and Recreation
Ernie Shaw
"It's a good-sized area. For instance, opening day we had a rain storm and I imagine we had 75 to 100 people crammed in there to get out of the rain," Shaw said.
shade.
Rain storms aside, the roofted area is mostly used by parents.
"A lot of people, especially older people that are there watching their kids, will get out of the sun and sit completely in the shade," said Shaw.
Leigh West, Lawrence resident,
said she appreciated the new shaded
"We've been here every day since it opened," she said. West said she reads under the gazebo while her kids play.
area.
Lockwood and Shaw said two more shade structures would be built as soon as funding was available.
The new roof, however, is only one of several new improvements to the pool.
Other new attractions are the deep soft sand, playground equipment and water toys.
"Amazingly, we've had several families that have come in and paid the admission to swim just to play in the sandbox," said Lockwood.
Admission to the pool is $2 for individuals more than 12 years of age and $1 for younger children. Individual summer passes cost $40. Family passes are $90.
The Aquatic Center will be offering some new programs this summer. Movie night is planned for mid-August. Pool patrons will be able to watch a movie on the big screen while they swim. The Aquatic Center is also planning some junior/senior nights for local schools' swim parties. Individuals can also rent the meeting room for private parties.
These activities and new additions make Lockwood optimistic the pool can reach a new attendance record.
"We're looking for the 3,000 per day mark in attendance this year," said Lockwood.
GR Gordon-Ross/KANSAN
Dave Kosbab, Lawrence resident, and his two sons share lunch in front of Allen Field House as they wait for their mother, who had gone up to the Field House at 5 a.m. Monday to purchase Bulls-Sons tickets.
GR Gordon-Ross/KANSAN
Staff Photographer / KANSAN
A new roof added this summer at the Lawrence Aquatic Center allows for less sunblock, and more summer fun for parents, who can bask in the shade.
GR Gordon-Ross / KANSAN
Jay-Sen Jones and Ben Reed, both Kansas City, Mo., juniors, get Bulls tickets.
Get involved in Student Legislative Awareness Board
SLAB WILL BE ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE FOLLOWING 1997-1998 POSITIONS
STUDENT
THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
SENATE
*Education/Forums Coordinator
- Issues Research Coordinator
- Jayhawk Network Coordinator
- Lobby Coordinator
- Publications Coordinator
- Voter Participation Coordinator
- Treasurer
APPLICATIONS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE STUDENT SENATE OFFICE, 410 KANSAN UNION
Questions? Contact Samantha Bowman at 864-7337 Application Deadline: September 5,1997
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