Children ages 6 and under, commence counting down.
In six weeks, Chehalis' new Kiddy Spray Pool is expected to open, offering 21 jet sprays of water in various patterns.
The Chehalis Foundation, since August, has raised more than $124,000 to pay for the spray pool, which is located near the community pool at Recreation Park on Southwest 13th Street.
This week, workers from Sevey Masonry in Centralia are finishing up the surrounding wall, installing special smooth-sided bricks on the inside of the pool to make it safe for little bodies, explained Mike Austin, former president of the Chehalis Foundation and project chairman for the pool.
The original plans for the pool had the total cost at about $115,000. Little extras, including the special bricks, jacked up the cost a bit, he said. The smooth bricks alone cost an extra $1,000. Shipping for the seven metal benches was another $800 in unbudgeted costs.
Thankfully for Austin, the community was willing to help.
"Almost every organization in the Twin Cities has contributed," he said. "Donations ranged from $1 to $20,000."
Once the wall is finished, the concrete floor inside the pool and outside the pool will be poured. Afterwards, the seven metal benches will be installed around the perimeter, as will a statue of three bathing suit-clad girls dancing in a circle.
The goal is to have the project finished by Memorial Day, the traditional opening day for the community pool. But, because the spray pool is on its own water system, it can after that be opened and closed earlier or later, depending on the weather. Previously, the wading pool (which was torn out to accommodate the new spray pool) was connected to the community pool's water supply.
That meant it operated on the same schedule and couldn't be opened early for an especially warm spring, or stay open later in the season during an especially warm fall, explained Austin.
"On a good day in March or April, we can turn this on, even if the pool isn't ready to go," he said.
Having its own water system is also good for sanitary reasons. Because the previous wading pool was exclusive to small children prone to "accidents," that contaminated water would be pumped into the larger pool, posing health risks. With its own water system and no standing water, the spray pool eliminates that possibility, Austin added.
Though the fund-raising for the construction of the project has been completed, the Chehalis Foundation continues to sell sponsorship bricks, which will be engraved with the name of the buyer's choice. These bricks will line the top of the wall around the Kiddy Spray Pool. They will have rounded inside edges to accommodate sitting.
So far, about 150 bricks (of 500 possible) have been sold. Any bricks sold now will be used to offset maintenance costs for the pool, said Austin.
Cost for a sponsorship brick is $150. It can be engraved with an inscription, such as a family name. To purchase a brick, make a check payable to the Chehalis Foundation. Include on the check that's its for a brick and send it, along with inscription information, to P.O. Box 1608, Chehalis, WA 98532.
Amanda Haines covers municipal government and health for The Chronicle. She may be reached at 807-8245, or by e-mail at ahaines@chronline.com.
