Published: December 06, 2006 08:24 am      

Plan will improve swimming facilities

The Parks and Beautification Committee is hoping to make a big splash soon.

The committee is hoping to bring a new aquatic center to Woodward as part of the Crystal Beach Master Plan.

On Dec. 12 voters will be determining the future of the Master Plan as they decide whether to pass a one-cent sales tax extension, which would generate revenue to fund the project.

City Manager Alan Riffel said plans for the aquatic center include a large zero entry pool, competition-length lap lanes, a diving area, a monster slide complex, a lazy river, three separate kiddie pools for various ages, a spray ground with water cannons and fountains and covered pavilions for shade.

Parents throughout the community are looking forward to having a new swimming facility.

Mothers Krista Yadon and Becky Riley have previously enjoyed aquatic centers similar to what is planned for Crystal Beach Park and are excited about finally having one in Woodward.

Riley, who moved to Woodward over two years ago from a suburb of Columbus, Ohio, said she really enjoyed the variety of activities that were offered at the aquatic center there, so she is really anticipating having that variety again.

Yadon said she grew up with a wonderful aquatics background.

“I look forward for my children to have that same experience,” she said.

Both mothers said they spend a lot of time during the summer at the present pool, which was built in the early 1950s, with their children and see areas for improvement.

In fact, Yadon’s youngest daughter, Natalie Yadon, 6, said the swimming pool is her favorite part of Crystal Beach park.

Natalie said she is looking forward to having a slide at a new pool.

“She was disappointed when they took the slide out at the city park,” Yadon said.

She said her family also spends a lot of time going out of town for water activities, but that would change with a new aquatic center in Woodward.

“We look forward to spending a lot of time at home and enjoying the water park here,” Yadon said.

Riley said her children use the pool all summer and she believes they deserve nicer facilities to use and enjoy.

“I just think that improvements to our facilities for our children in Woodward is way overdue,” Riley said.

She said the current state of the swimming facilities is poor and unpleasant and greatly in need of improvement.

So she said she is mainly looking forward to having facilities that are clean and up-to-date.

Riley said improved facilities would also bring visitors in from surrounding areas.

She also said that nicer facilities could hopefully help persuade some of those visitors to stay and make Woodward their home.

Yadon also believes that a new aquatic center would have a beneficial impact on tourism.

She said that impact will be both immediate and lasting as it will continue to bring people to Woodward for years to come.

“It will be a great anchor to attract people to the Woodward area,” said Richard Ebright, who is the general manager of Northwest Inn.

He said he is looking forward to the positive impact that the new water park and other park improvements will have on his business from increased tourism.

“I see it as a year round positive impact,” he said.

Ebright said he anticipates increased business in the spring because of new ball fields, in summer months because of the new aquatic center, and in the fall for rodeo activities.

However, he said the new park would not only benefit businesses like his but would be a great boost for the entire city’s economy as it means increased tax revenue across the board.

Beyond the economic boost, Ebright said the project will also help boost Woodward’s prominence in Northwestern Oklahoma.

He said it is partly because of this prominence that Woodward needs the park improvement.

“Obviously being the largest town in Northwestern Oklahoma, we should have top notch facilities,” Ebright said.