Amanda Jeffery, Free Press
Entwistle and area residents have a new facility to look forward to once the restrictions for the pandemic lift.
During the summer of 2020, Parkland County in partnership with Yellowhead County, completed the work on a new outdoor pool facility along with a community centre to go with it.
“We are definitely looking forward to opening it this year once the restrictions have been lifted,” said Sarah Mate, director of community services with Parkland County. She says they are currently in the process of hiring all of the lifeguard staff.
Once the pool is open for use, Mate says they will have to be limited due to Covid capacity restrictions from Alberta Health Services. “We do want to get that pool open and we want the people of the community to be able to enjoy it as much as they can,” she says.
Mate says there is also a slide at the pool. “It’s a beautiful slide, and it’s fast,” she says.
The building will serve as a satellite office for the County, along with offering a library, and a multi purpose room that can be used for group meetings. She says the multipurpose room could be used for birthday parties or other family events as well.
“One exciting thing about the multipurpose room is that you can play pickleball in there,” says Mate. Pickleball groups may be able to use the room during the winter to play, she says.
There is also another space in the building that is available to lease out. “For someone who wants the location right next to the busy pool all summer, right in the heart of the community, it’s a great business location,” says Mate. She says the County is trying to find the right partner to put in there.
She says the other exciting thing about the facility is the outdoor space that surrounds the building and pool. There is a pergola in place and she says it would be a great space to have a party or gathering, especially for children. “It’s a quaint little place to take children to play,” she says.
“It’s really enhanced that local area and we are really excited to see how it revitalizes the community of Entwistle,” says Mate. She says the facility helps to highlight the beauty of Entwistle that already exists.
While the pool is in Parkland County, Mate says the pool is open to anyone. “The pool and facility are open to anyone who wants to enjoy it.”
She says with the current tourism opportunities of camping and tubing she believes the new pool makes a great addition.
