Pool dedicated

Swimmers' arms cut through water at the Carson City Aquatic Facility on Wednesday, and around them for nearly the first time in two years there was no construction.

A crowd of 30 gathered for the dedication of the Aquatic Facility, two years after it was planned to be dedicated.

Parks and Recreation Director Steve Kastens said the pool project has been "the biggest challenge for me."

Kastens reminded the crowd the project was one envisioned to be built with Question 18 money.

"We think it's a facility we can be proud of," Kastens said. "We hope the people of Carson City can be proud they gave us Question 18 money."

The largest Quality of Life project turned into a $3.6 million construction nightmare. It was supposed to be completed in Sept. 1999, but numerous weather-related delays, conflicts with original contractor, American General Development, and eventually a switch to a new contractor stalled the project.

Dual lawsuits filed by AGD and the city head to court next May. A review of the project by the State Contractor's Board is pending.

The final part of the project, the therapy pool, opened Friday.

"I have friends who have been waiting for that therapy pool to open," Joyce Magnuson said.

Wolfgang Wrinkler spends several days a week at the pool. He combined lap swimming followed by a snack and the dedication. Condensation no longer drips on patrons from the ceiling, the lanes are better and Carson's pool is "the greatest facility in Northern Nevada," he said.

"Quite different," noted Kathy Storey, of Carson City as she walked into the new facility.

"It is important to have a facility for our young people and their famines to have good, clean fun," she said. "It's great to have a family facility. We need more family facilities."

For information on the Carson Aquatic Facility, call 775-887-2242.