Willow Stream Pool in Buffalo Grove celebrates grand reopening

The Willow Stream Pool in Buffalo Grove will host a grand reopening celebration from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

The pool was unexpectedly closed all last summer because of a slow down in the state’s permitting process, Buffalo Grove Park District officials said. It opened for the first time this year on June 8, four days later than anticipated.

After working with a consultant, holding community meetings and adapting plans to account for that input and cost considerations, the park district demolished parts of the current facility in the fall of 2009, hoping renovation of the pool could be completed over the winter

But it took much longer than anticipated to obtain needed state permits and construction couldn’t be completed in time for summer 2010. Mechanical difficulties and last-minute construction postponed the pool’s opening this year.

“Unfortunately, it was delayed during the hottest days of the summer so far, but safety is our main concern,” said Mike Terson, the park district’s public relations and marketing manager.

The upgrades include a new water slide and a ramp that make the pool wheelchair accessible. Other improvements include a completely renovated bathhouse, a new pool deck, new pool liner and a new filtration system.

Everyone who attends the grand opening will receive a free commemorative towel and be entered in a raffle to win a free summer family pool pass, a free pool party, or the honor of being the first that day to go down the water slide.