Mattocks Park swimming pool to open today

Tia Lyons

Staff Writer

EL DORADO — The Mattocks Park swimming pool is ready for its traditional Memorial Day opening, and for the first time in 10 years, the onsite concession stand will be open for business for the entire season.

City sanitation supervisor Ray Johnson, who oversees the operation of the pool, said he received an offer from a local citizen to run the snack bar, and its opening is expected to coincide with the annual opening of the pool at 9 a.m. today.

Johnson said the concession stand was opened in mid-summer 2015, and the woman who operated it recently contacted him about opening the stand again — this time earlier in the season.

“She’s got her permits, and as far as I know, everything is a go for Monday,” Johnson said.

The concession stand was once a popular feature at the swimming pool, selling hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, sodas, cool treats and other snacks for swimmers on a hot summer’s day.

Until last summer, the concession stand had not operated in a decade.

Johnson said several people have approached him over the years and expressed interest in running the concession stand, but none submitted serious or firm proposals.

He has said that the stand serves as an opportunity for ambitious entrepreneurs looking to earn money over the summer, and about midway through the 2015 season, someone snapped up the opportunity.

The Mattocks Park pool is the only public swimming pool in the city. Mattocks is also the only city park with a fishing pond.

Last year, the pool averaged more than 100 swimmers per day.

As it has for many years, the city partnered with Great Lakes Solutions to get the pool ready for its annual opening.

The city drained, cleaned and painted the pool and did other work to make sure the pool and its mechanical system were in good running condition, while Great Lakes supplied the pool chemicals and other needed products.

City crews also performed preparatory work on the adjoining pool house, which contains an office, restrooms/dressing rooms and the concession stand.

Three lifeguards have also been hired to watch over activities at the pool each day.

The pool will maintain the normal summer schedule, with operating hours of 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. each day except Wednesday and Sunday.

The pool will be closed for the lunch hour between noon and 1 p.m. each day, Johnson said. Wednesday is typically reserved for cleaning the pool.

There is no admission to swim in the Mattocks pool.

Johnson said a grand opening celebration will be scheduled for later.

Tia Lyons may be contacted at 870-862-6611 or by email at tlyons@ eldoradonews.com.

Upcoming Events