Metro Parks meet to discuss Splash Zone

Lorain County Metro Parks are moving forward with plans to replace an outdated and aging roof at Splash Zone, the indoor and outdoor aquatic center in Oberlin. Metro Parks board members accepted Feb. 28 the lowest and best bid of $2,244,500 which was submitted by Town Center Construction, of Northfield. Jim Ziemnik, director of the Metro Parks, said the company has a full range of experience and will begin the roof replacement soon after the indoor facility with an Olympic-sized pool closes May 1. Splash Zone, 95 W. Hamilton St., should reopen by Nov. 1 if all goes accordingly, Ziemnik said. The aquatic center offers numerous recreational opportunities year-round from aerobic classes, to basketball and volleyball leagues, an outdoor pool, fitness rooms, an indoor track and event rooms. Ziemnik has said during summer months, the indoor pool is not used as much as the outdoor aquatic equipment, so guests should not be as effected during those times. However, the long-time effects of heat, humidity and chemicals caused the fastening in the roof to deteriorate and wear away over time, Ziemnik said. The facility was built about 16 years ago, but due to roof’s non mechanical fastening and outdated conditions, the indoor effects have contributed toward its issues, he said. “We were lucky and found this problem a couple years ago when a small panel came apart and exposed the problem,” Ziemnik said. The new durable, long lasting and mechanical ly fastened roof placed by Town Center will be much better, he said. “We have a much higher level of confidence that this is the right type of roof for our facility,” Ziemnik said. “It should last a long time, and we will not have this problem again.”

In other news

Trail 3B is underway with tree removal for the Black River Bikeway Extension project. Trail 3B is connected to trails 3A and soon-tobe 3C near state Route 611 on Lorain’s east side. Ziemnik said planning and designing for 3C, which is the last phase of trails in the area, has been going successful. This trail will travel from Route 611 up to Century Park on East Erie Avenue. Discussions on staff monitoring the park and potentially offering programs has been brought up, Ziemnik said.

“Wehaveamuch higher level of confidence that this is the right type of roof for our facility.” — Jim Ziemnik, director of the Metro Parks