Posted: 6/28/06
RCís pool offers escape from summerís heat
 The hottest month of the year is soon upon us, but it's cool at the pool! |
By Steve Morris
The Rush City outdoor aquatic center opened its doors in the summer of 1998. Since then, it has served as an oasis to thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds looking to escape the heat. This summer is no different. The daily attendance of the pool thus far has been around 150 to 175 people.
The aquatic center, which is open 84 days of the year, contains more than 200,000 gallons of water, a 165-foot water slide, a diving board and a 26-foot drop slide. The pool can hold 369 people and is 10 and half feet deep. Moreover, there is a special kid pool, a picnic area and ample parking.
On a given summer day, when the weather is warm, hundreds of kids can be seen laughing, swimming and enjoying the aquatic centers facilities.
ìThere is a lot of screaming that goes on here, but itís all fun screaming,î manager Lee Rood said. ìItís hard not to have fun at the pool,î he added.
Monica Johnson of North Branch concurs with Rood about the fun and joy the outdoor swimming pool creates. She enjoyed a hot June afternoon with her family. Johnson especially like the 165-foot slide.
ìItís fun and fast,î she said.
The swimming pool has six life guards on duty (not all at once) to ensure the safety of the kids during the day. To keep the water clean, 40 pounds of chlorine is used daily.
The fact pounds of chlorine is used in the pool is part of what attracts some people to the pool. Michelle Wagenknecht of North Branch said she enjoys the pool because itís cleaner than the lake. Standing next to the pool deck, Wagenknecth said she would come back with her family as long as the weather cooperated.
The aquatic center is located in Downtown Rush City one block off fourth street. Use of the pool is not limited to Rush City residents. In fact, it draws families from around the area mainly because the next closest outdoor water park is in Mora.
ìIt brings a lot of out of town people here,î Rood said.
However, Rood said he still gets calls from people in North Branch who donít know Rush City has an outdoor pool.
Rood, who teaches third grade in Rush City, said the pool has lockers with a changing area for people to use. No overnight locker storage is allowed. A concession stand is also on-site.
A significant portion of the poolís financial health depends on the weather ñ no one wants to swim in the rain and cold.
ìSo much depends on the weather,î he said.
If the weather turns sour in morning, donít panic, says Rood. Bad weather before a half day of business will be countered with a pass to return a different day.
ìPeople are pretty understanding,î Rood said.
Because of less than desirable swimming weather, Rood said the pool has lost up to $32,000 in a summer before. He said it is not uncommon for outdoor pools in Minnesota to lose money.
But, he said, you must take the good with the bad. The pool brings in visitors from out of town and is a way to showoff the city. In turn, they spend money outside of the pools walls and help the local economy.
Despite some summers operation in the red, Rood said there has been no talk about closing the pool. Speaking of this summer, Rood said business has been steady.
Everything aside, Rood said going to the pool is nice, clean fun.
ìItís fun to spend time with your kids.î
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