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Yukon parks department outlines Kimball Bay renovations, extended pool hours and summer programming
Summary
City parks staff reported progress on multiple Kimball Park projects — new paint, pool lights, fencing and accessibility steps — announced expanded pool hours and summer programs, and said staffing is fully filled for aquatics.
"It's an exciting time in parks and recreation right now," Ryan, parks department staff, told the Yukon Park Board as he delivered a department report and project update. He said pools and splash pads will open for Memorial Day weekend and that Kimball Bay will close for a few days after opening weekend while crews install new pool lights and replace fencing.
The project updates at Kimball Bay include sandblasting and pool-shell repairs, new paint to match recently installed shade structures, concrete repair to remove a trip hazard, new pool steps to improve accessibility and new lounge chairs and tables. Ryan said the department will close Kimball Bay Wednesday through Friday after opening weekend so crews can complete electrical work for new underwater lights and install a full fence replacement, after which the facility will reopen.
Ryan described additional Kimball Park work: a 50-foot cantilever shade structure for the west side expected in mid-June, replacement of several shade canopies, parking-lot repaving and striping, and about 10 concurrent projects tied to the pool season. He said the department plans to add swings and replace nearby carports at the playground and to install a shade cover at Taylor Park near the Spirit League Field.
Other park projects include an irrigation installation at Chisholm Trail Park that Ryan said should be installed in two to three weeks, repairs to the Ranchwood bridge surface and sides for safety, and Chisholm Trail Park pond leak repairs scheduled to occur this fiscal year before the end of next month. At the Yukon Community Center, the department is seeking one more quote for exterior stucco repairs and a color match to perform a basic repair rather than a larger renovation.
On programming, Ryan said aquatics and splash-pad season starts over Memorial Day weekend, with expanded evening hours the department added to help working families. He said City Splash will be open until 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and Kimball Bay will be open until 8 p.m. on Friday evenings; overall the department added about 10 pool-hours per week. Ryan said the department is fully staffed for lifeguards and that two pool managers ran in-house lifeguard training. He also announced pool membership prices of $40 for individuals and $100 for families, usable at both pools.
Ryan reviewed summer offerings and special events, saying the department will run swim lessons, a Rising Champs youth athletic camp, youth flag football beginning in August, wheelchair softball clinics, STEM and arts classes, and senior programming at the Dale Robertson Center. He said Festival of the Child sold more than 1,500 children's tickets and estimated overall attendance between 4,000 and 5,000. The department also added event safety measures in coordination with the police department, including a borrowed command center, drone capability for oversight and a mobile police tower at events.
Board members praised the work. Joe, park board member, and Carrie, park board member, both complimented staff on programming and outreach; Stephen, park board member, highlighted the Ranchwood bridge repair and the aquatics staffing. Ryan said he expects to provide a budget update and capital projects list at the next board meeting after the City Council considers final budget approval on June 3.
Action taken during the meeting included approval of the April 16 meeting minutes. No other motions, votes or formal policy actions were taken during the report and discussion.
