Photo by Alison James
Construction began Monday on a new pool house at the Red Bay Water Park. The structure will house bathrooms, concession stand and offices for Parks and Rec director and staff.

With construction beginning Monday, the Red Bay Water Park is well on its way to seeing the new pool house become a reality.

“It’s something that was definitely needed,” said Parks and Recreation Director Dean Hubbard.

Construction bid for the project was awarded to Burton Construction out Golden, Miss. Project cost will be $240K, which Hubbard said was within the city’s budgeted range.

The old building was torn down Feb. 6, bids were opened Thursday, and now the race is on to have everything completed and ready for operation by the park’s usual Memorial Day weekend opening.

“Our goal is to have it open and ready to go by then,” Hubbard said. “That was part of the bid process.” The stipulation gives the project 120 days.

The new pool house will feature handicap-accessible restrooms and will address sewage and plumbing problems the city was facing.

“We had a lot of problems with the drainage and with the pool as it existed because we could not get to it. It was all under concrete,” said Hubbard. “Everything in it was old – just, absolutely old.”

Access to the bathrooms will also now be available from the farmers market and playground. “You can access the bathrooms without getting in the pool area,” Hubbard said.

The pool house will also be large enough to accommodate the entry fee window and the concession stand under one roof, enabling the department to consolidate personnel for those two functions. Office space will also be incorporated, particularly for Hubbard, who does not currently have dedicated office space. A connecting storage building will house rental chairs and the pool’s handicap-accessible lift.

With the new pool house addition will changes in operating hours for the water park. Hubbard said the department is finalizing a schedule to offer longer and better hours to allow more people to enjoy the facilities, including opening Friday and Saturday nights, “which is something we’ve never done before.”