KINGWOOD — It looks like they’ll use it.
When Kingwood Council decided to put $50,000 into repairs and personnel to open the city pool this summer, it adopted Councilman Joe Seese’s mantra to the public of, “Use it or lose it.”
The county contributed a $2,000 parks and recreation grant to help with expenses at Preston’s only municipal pool. The only other public pool in the county is at the Preston County 4-H Camp, but it may not open this year because of needed repairs and is not open daily anyway.
The Kingwood Pool closed in 2013 because of a variety of problems, many stemming from a 2005 decision to put a roof on the structure. Last year March Westin and other local companies removed the roof at no cost to the town.
Kingwood Parks and Recreation Supervisor Kevin Stiles and his crew have been preparing the structure for its June 4 opening. A grand opening is planned June 16.
Stiles said 12 pool parties have already been booked, and he has a list two pages long of people interested in taking swimming lessons.
Beginning June 4, the pool will be open noon until 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sundays. Lap swimming will be 11 a.m.-noon Monday-Saturday and 5-6 p.m. Monday-Friday. Night swimming will be 7-9 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.
Admission will be $5 for adults; students 6-18, $4; children 2-5, $3; children under 2, free with a paying adult; family rate (limit four), $12; lap swimming, $2; night swimming, $3.
Pool passes, if purchased, are kept at the pool for customer convenience. Passes are on a punch system. Each session attended will deduct one punch. Passes are for public sessions only. Special events are not included.
The cost for 100 punches is $225; 75 punches, $185; 50 punches, $125; 25 punches, $65. A season lap swim pass is $50.
Private pool parties may be schedule for 7-9 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Two-hour events are $150, with a $50 deposit required. Two lifeguards will be provided for events.
Swim lessons will be $65 per person and are being offered June 18-29, July 9-20 and July 30-Aug. 10. Both morning and evening sessions will be offered. Space is limited.
No refunds are given for inclement weather.
For more info on the Kingwood Pool, call the pool at 304-329-1256 after the June 4 opening or Kingwood Parks and Recreation at 304-329-0856.
