By ANN PIERCEALL
Herald-Whig Staff Writer
HANNIBAL, Mo. -- Mark the time and date: At 1 p.m., Saturday, May 24, the Hannibal Aquatic Center opens for the 2008 season.
The Hannibal Parks and Recreation Department is offering unlimited visits to the pool with the purchase of season passes for the first time this year.
"Over the last few years, we've had people asking about season passes," said Chris Atkinson, Parks and Recreation director. "We're responding to their request."
He said day-to-day visits and 20-visit passes will also be available. The season pass is specifically for the person -- youth, adult or senior -- whose photograph is on the ID.
Atkinson said the department bought special equipment and software to make the ID badges. Because of the sensitivity of the equipment, the season passes must be bought from the Parks and Recreation office in City Hall, 320 Broadway. Those who buy a season pass before May 23 get $10 off the price.
Buyers should bring some form of identification proving the age of the passholder, such as a driver's license, passport or birth certificate. A photo will be taken.
Atkinson said depending on how the season passes work at the pool, it might be something that the department will offer at other facilities, such as the skate park.
As for the pool, Atkinson said cleaning of the facility begins next week and it should be filled by the weekend. Longtime pool manager Ronny Ferrel will once again be in charge.
This is the fifth year since the 45-year-old pool was renovated and converted into an aquatic center, and Atkinson said the Parks and Recreation Department is almost done paying off the loans for the $1.4 million project.
Parks and Recreation borrowed nearly $1 million in two separate loans to pay for the makeover. One for $300,000 will be paid off this year, Atkinson said, and the other loan for nearly $600,000 will be paid off next year. Once those loans are paid, an additional $110,000 a year will be freed up for other uses.
Atkinson said the renovation was well worth the expense.
"It's a lot more family-friendly environment with nicer facilities than what we used to have," he said.
Immediately after it opened, the aquatic center saw a jump in use. The number of users has since leveled out, and that's one of the reasons the department is offering different things such as the season passes.
New also this year will be pool rental availability. Atkinson said the pool will be available for rent Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.
-- apierceall@whig.com/(573) 221-5879
