Des Plaines Park District debuts new Chippewa Pool
More than 200 swimmers inaugurated the Des Plaines Park District’s new Chippewa Pool during a grand opening celebration Wednesday.
The community pool at 197 N. Eighth Ave. reopened after 10 months of rebuilding.
“The process of building your new neighborhood pool began two years ago, with public hearings and meetings with the park board and staff,” park district Executive Director John Hecker said in a news release. “We listened to your requests and were able to incorporate many of the features you asked for.”
Construction on the $3.2 million project began Aug. 14 with removal of the old pool and demolition of the bathhouse, which had stood on that site since 1967.
Cordogan, Clark & Associates, the architectural firm for the project, designed a Tudor-inspired bathhouse with a steeply pitched roof, an open arch above the entrance, and prominent gables to match the style of older homes in the neighborhood, which area residents wanted.
The new pool occupies the same footprint as the old one, but includes a leisure pool area, a zero-depth entry in the shallow end, and five geysers shooting continuous water fountains.
The shallow end also has an omnipod with five buckets in a star pattern. The buckets constantly fill and randomly spill creating a large variable splash area. At the other end of the leisure pool is a new, toddler-size slide for swimmers under 48 inches, which splashes riders onto a pad in 2 feet of water.
The lap pool is connected to the leisure pool and can be configured with six standard, 25-yard lanes for competitive or recreational swimming. The shallow end of the lap pool is 3 feet 6 inches deep and drops off to 12 feet 3 inches. In the deep end, there is a 3 meter diving board and another drop slide for swimmers over 48 inches tall.
On the pool deck, there is a permanent shade structure and shade umbrella, and new chairs and chaise lounges for sun bathing.
The bathhouse has a family locker room in addition to men’s and women’s locker rooms.
Next to the bathhouse is a new, covered concession area with picnic tables, two water and soft drink vending machines, a snack machine with healthy alternatives, and an ice cream dispensing machine.
The pool is ADA (American Disability Association) compliant. A special poolside lift is available for swimmers who have trouble entering or leaving the water. Special seats also have been installed in the showers, and the bathhouse hallways are extra wide to allow wheelchair access.
For more information about pool passes, swimming lessons, events and classes, visit DPParks.org or call (847) 391-5700.