Garden City Pool Opens With Brand New Look

The Garden City pool opened for the season earlier this month but with some new and exciting changes in place for residents to enjoy.

Crews worked throughout the winter season to put a whole new spin on the already loved swimming pool complex and unveiled the new look at the June 9 opening.

Kevin E. Ocker, chairman of the Board of Commissioners of Cultural and Recreational Affairs, led the pool re-development project from the start. Some of the new features in the pool complex include a completely revamped children’s pool, new filtration systems, added shade structures to the adult pool and the playground, as well as a remastering of the 20-year-old water slide in the main pool area that has become a symbol in the Garden City complex. 

“We did a number of things in here as a part of this big pool renovation,” Ocker told Patch during a recent tour of the facility.He pointed out that the circular wading pool and brick wall with spray bubblers has now been replaced with a new interactive water playground for the children. “We had a problem with that pool, so we knew we had to replace it. We started to research what should we really offer the public,” he added. 

According to Ocker, a committee of residents was formed for the renovations. Residents were either members years ago, current members or interested residents. This committee met with a design team to tell them what was important to include in the renovations. It was out of these meetings that renovations began to be made to the pool complex. 

A new filtration system and all new landscaping has also been added around the main pool area, as well as throughout the entire complex. The main pool also features new filtration and gutter systems, all made possible through the renovation project.

”It is a much more efficient use of water,” Ocker said.

A newly added concrete walk was also added as a part of the design to gain access to the concession stand. All of the new renovations were directly designed through the committee meetings. 

“We started out with about 18 people; at the last meeting, we ended up with about 12,” said Ocker. “We met three or four times.” 

In the adult area, newly added shade structures also came out of the renovation committee.

“These were all a part of the project,” he said. “The seniors were very anxious about this, because we used to have four big trees here and the roots were starting to lift the concrete. We are so sensitive about trees, but we removed them and we captured all this new deck space here,”  Ocker added. 

Even though the shade structures have been put into place, Ocker stated that they have also leveled the once raised concrete ledge on the other side of the adult pool. This area is now level and allows for residents to sit in the sun if they wish. 

“It really gives you that club atmosphere, something that you might see at a resort,” Ocker added. “The feedback we have been getting is outstanding, much more than I could have ever anticipated.” 

If you're not a member of the Garden City Pool, but are interested in becoming one, you can learn more about eligibility requirements, fees and how to join here.