Roselle pool work ahead of schedule

Kemmerling Park in Roselle is undergoing an aquatic metamorphosis.

Due to favorable weather, the new outdoor pool and other improvements to the park are ahead of schedule.

Visitors will see new light poles, diving platform, lap pool, zero-depth pool and a diving well.

Also, the foundation has been installed for the concession area and manager's office and most of the piping for the pool and deck area has been installed.

The new pool should open Memorial Day weekend 2008.

The project is costing slightly more than expected, though.

Roselle park officials approved another $69,750 expenditure Wednesday for piping, gutters and design changes required by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

The district has saved roughly $65,000 by stockpiling its soil on-site instead of hauling it elsewhere, officials said.

"Some additional work has been found to be needed," Park Director Tom Kruse said. "But knock on wood, we're still in good shape with the budget. We had built in a contingency fund."

Still, park officials held off on a contractor's request for another $56,750 for some additional work at the park -- mainly the installation of bocce courts and a shaded sitting area with benches and swings.

The board wanted to get plumbing cost estimates before it signs off on it, possibly next month.

"I'm concerned about the total cost of this project," Commissioner Glenn Spachman said.

Overall, the project will cost roughly $1.6 million more than initially projected when the park district asked voters for a tax increase last year.

Initial estimates ranged from $3.4 million to $3.7 million, but the latest figure puts the cost at roughly $5 million. But that increase is attributed mainly to a change in design.

Originally, plans called for rebuilding the existing pool to feature six competitive lap lanes, a diving board and drop slide, concrete decks, lighting, a sound system and landscaping.

Now, the project features two separate pool areas. The main lap pool had its lane size increased from six to eight lanes and will have a zero-depth pool connected to it. A separate diving well will have two diving boards and a drop slide.

Plans also call also for a number of other improvements to Kemmerling.

They include two new sand volleyball courts, bocce ball courts, horseshoe pits, benches and bike racks, as well as a renovated baseball field, new playground and a concession area.

The existing bathhouse will be revamped and enlarged.