2001 Newsroom Archive

BRAND NEW MEADOWVIEW COMMUNITY POOL OPENED TODAY

Sacramento, California, April 7, 2001 - Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo, Vice Mayor Bonnie Pannell, City Manager Robert P. Thomas, and Meadowview community leaders joined together today to officially open the Samuel C. Pannell Meadowview Community Center Recreational Pool. Guided by staff lifeguards, children from local Little League, Girl Scouts, and Fourth R programs were the first to enjoy the pool.

In addition to swimming, the grand opening event featured live music, activities for kids, and barbecue and refreshments. Immediately following the event, the pool was opened for a free swim period between 1:00 and 6:00 p.m. The $4.3 million project, designed with extensive input from the Meadowview community, includes a zero-entry (the water level is flush with the pool deck to facilitate entry for all pool users), eight-lane competition pool; waterplay structures; and a curving water slide.

The pool has a capacity of approximately 540 persons. The project also features a guard's room, staff office, first aid room, meeting room, large concession/kitchen, bathroom/locker facilities, related equipment, and a mechanical room. In addition, 22 parking spaces have been added at the community center - as well as a drop-off area - to accommodate the additional vehicle traffic the pool will generate. Ground was broken for the project in March, 2000."This is an exciting day for the Meadowview community and for anyone who has looked forward to using this beautiful pool and facility," said Mayor Fargo. "Projects like this one are important because they help to unite our communities; they provide a place for people to gather and enjoy each other's company. I know everyone looks forward to making full use of this pool during the long, hot Sacramento summer and throughout the year."

"I am delighted to be here to see this pool open up to our community and the rest of Sacramento," said Vice Mayor Pannell. "This pool is a product of a lot of input, hard work, and determination from community members and City staff alike, and I want to thank everyone involved. This project is an integral part of the vision we share for the future of this community."

According to swimming governing bodies including the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the National Federation of State High School Associations, USA Swimming, and the Federation Internationale de Natation Amateur, the 25-yard pool is officially designated as a "short-course" pool (a "long-course" pool is the 50-meter pool often referred to as "Olympic-size").

The pool is approved for competition, but will be used for recreational purposes as well. The pool will be heated, and thus available for year-round use. General admission to the pool will be $.50 for children 12 years old and under, $.75 for teens 13-17 years old, and $1.00 for adults 18 and over. Those fees are doubled if swimmers wish to use the slide as well. Swim lessons, lap swimming, water aerobics, and senior programs will be available. Anyone interested may call the Department of Parks and Recreation Aquatics Program at 916/277-2308 for more information on the pool and its programs or to request a schedule of upcoming pool events.