KU Life
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5.1996
Diving into Summer
Alternatives exist for local swimmers
By Emily Redmond Kansan staff writer
With the Lawrence Municipal Pool under construction, students are being forced to find alternative swimming areas to beat the heat during the summer.
"Due to the bad weather, we don't know when the pool will open," said Kathy Fode, superintendent of recreation.
However, the Carl Knox Natatorium at Lawrence High School, 1901 Louisiana, is one of many pools available as an alternative.
"We are adding times for recreational swims and swimming lessons to compensate," Fode said. "The pool is used primarily for lessons."
The natatorium will be available for use from June 17 through the first week of July. It will be open daily from 9 a.m. to noon for lessons and from 4 to 6 p.m. for recreational swimming.
Admission for adults is $2 per visit.
Various private pools found at apartment complexes are used by residents and their guests.
"I usually go to my friend's place," said Joey Robertson, McPheron senior. "We go swimming late at night, so the manager isn't there."
Paul Gonzalez, assistant manager at the SouthPointe Apartments, 2166 Redbud Lane, said it was difficult to monitor who used the pool.
"Occasionally I go to the pool and I usually recognize the people," he said. "But if I don't, I ask them where they live."
Another place where students can cool off is Clinton Lake's Bloomington Beach Swimming Area.
"I like going to Clinton because they have a nice beach with a nice view," Robertson said.
A day-use fee, implemented two years ago, is charged by the Corps of Engineers. Fees are based on the number of people in a vehicle. The maximum cost is $3 per carload.
"You can go to the beach, as well as all the other Corps of Engineer lakes in the country, Perry Lake and Lake Jacomo included," said Jim Franz, park ranger.
Another favorite local lake is Lone Star Lake, located 12 miles southwest of Lawrence. Swimming, boating, fishing and picnicking are available.
Lone Star is open daily to the public from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. April 1 through September 1. Use of the beach is free to swimmers.
Pam Dishman (above) and Brian Hott (right)/ KANSAN
Jarod Rook, Topeka senior, splashes into the pool at Amli at Alvamar apartment complex, 3700 Clinton Parkway. Because the Lawrence Municipal Pool is still in construction, many students are having to find other places to swim. Weather delays have put the construction of the new city pool behind schedule, and it is expected to reopen in early July.
Inclement weather delays pool opening
By Dave Breitenstein Kansan staff writer
The renovated Lawrence Municipal Pool was scheduled to open Memorial Day weekend. But mud piles and water puddles are all Lawrence swimmers will have to dive into until at least July.
The Lawrence Municipal Pool, 741 Kentucky, has delayed opening because of weather-related problems. Concrete could not be poured because of cold weather and rain. Trucks also were having difficulties maneuvering around the wet facilities.
After last summer, the old pool was taken out, and construction resumed late in the year. The opening date has been postponed several times, and now the anticipated opening is early July.
"The rain has pushed the opening date back because it wasn't physically possible to work some days," said Mike Wildgen, Lawrence city manager.
Even though construction has taken longer than expected, the cost of the pool has remained at $2.8 million.
Wildgen is not worried about the loss of revenue from the pool's closing.
"We've had a cool spring. Even the pools that are open now are not really open because of the weather," he said. "We haven't really had a good swim day yet."
Despite the delays, Ernie Shaw, superintendent of construction on the pool, also is optimistic about the project.
"We knew going into this project that trying to do construction in the winter would be difficult," said Shaw. "We want to make sure it's completed right. We don't want to
"The thing that we hate the most is the inconvenience to the public."
Emie Shaw
Construction Superintendent
hurry and skip some things because the pool is going to be there for 25 to 30 years."
Because of the delay, swimmers will have only half the summer to enjoy the new pool.
Elaine Leiker, Lawrence resident, said that she and her children usually swim at the pool in the summer and that they are excited about the renovations.
"I can't wait to swim there. It's supposed to be really nice," she said. "I'm disappointed that construction has been slow."
Shaw said she felt this option was better than missing the entire season. If builders had waited until the weather improved, construction would be starting now.
"The thing that we hate the most is the inconvenience to the public," Shaw said. "Considering the weather patterns, it's going as fast as it can. Construction crews have been working six days a week for 10 hours each day."
Wildgen has one bit of advice for Lawrence residents. "Come on down when it's open."
The features of the new pool include two water slides, a larger bathhouse, a zero-depth entry area, a separate diving area and shade areas.
KANU radio show captures the imagination of country
The cast of KANU's Imagination Workshop will perform its nationally-aired sketch-comedy show live at Liberty Hall, 642, Massachusetts St., this Saturday.
KANU's award-winning radio comedy series Imagination Workshop will come out swinging with two shows for its 1995-96 season finale.
Imagine old-time radio with contemporary humor: a cross between Bob Ray and Saturday Night Live.
A live audience sees comedy that blends Saturday Night Live, golden age of radio
By Stephanie Fite Kansan staff writer
Showtimes are 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Saturday at Liberty Hall, 642 Massachusetts St.
"I weave elements together, taking bits and pieces of everything that you see and hear, and spit something out," said Darrell Brogdon, program director and writer of Imagination Workshop.
"To see it in person is like the golden days of radio," Brogdon said. "We present each situation before a live studio audience. Since they are in front of us, we receive an immediate response to what we are doing."
The comedy program, carried by more than 100 National Public Radio Stations coast-to-coast, is supported primarily through ticket sales.
The fast-paced, one-hour comedy show is broadcast on pubic radio and was inspired by the nostalgia of old-time radio and the humor of Saturday Night Live.
Roberta Solomon, a radio personality on the show, said, "It's like theater without any of the funny makeup. What's cool is knowing that what we are producing can be heard around the country."
Brogdon said: "Although we receive some funding from National Public Radio, admission provides primary support for the
Season Finale
.
Place: Liberty Hall, 644 Massachusetts St.
Date: Saturday, June 8
Time: 5 and 8 p.m.
cast and use of the hall."
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The Imagination Workshop crew consists of professionals from Kansas City and some KU alumni. Take-offs include potshots at Sen. Bob Dole, President Bill Clinton, Ross Perot and other political figures.
However, politicians are not the only targets. Summer movies such as Flipper and Twister are also subject to Brogdon's comedic hand with a possible crossover sequel Flister.
"I might see things a bit warped," Brogdon said. "At least that's what my mother always said."
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