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| A lifeguard (left) keeps an eye on swimmers during the grand opening. (Photos: J.D. Pooley/Sentinel-Tribune) |
Approximately 200 people were in line and another 50 watched as the new BG Pool and Water Park was dedicated and opened Saturday at noon.
Winners of a raffle for early use of the pool were allowed to enter the complex at 11:15.
"This has been the experience of a lifetime," said BG Parks and Recreation Facilities Coordinator Tim Stubbs. Looking at the line of patrons Stubbs said he wanted to "let them in the pool so that I can take a short vacation." He recalled spending a lot of time around the old pool and hoped the new one will last as long.
Construction of the nearly $4 million facility began last fall after the pool in use for 50 years was demolished. The city had hoped to open the facility June 1 but bad weather slowed the construction.