Residents react to news of work to be done for Randolph Park Pool
DUBLIN, Va. (WFXR) — The Evelyn Alexander Waterpark at Pulaski County’s Randolph Park is getting a makeover. County officials announced the next steps in reopening the water park that burned down back in May.
While county officials say the water park won’t be ready by the time this summer rolls around, they hope work on the pool can begin soon. However, exact plans for what exactly the new facility will look like are still being decided.
“It’s been heavy on us, and it’s something we’ve been working diligently on what the design could possibly look like. There are just a lot of pieces that need to be pieced together before we finalize anything,” said Shay Dunnigan, the Pulaski County Parks and Recreation Director.
RELATED STORY: Pulaski County to start rebuilding Randolph Park pool house following fire
From their legal team to insurance adjusters to architects and engineers, county officials say they’ve been working hard since last year to see what can be done to reopen. They say work to upgrade the 240,000-gallon community pool will hopefully begin in the coming weeks. It is hoped the work to do such things as replastering the inside of the pool will make it last for many years to come.
“We get to employ our young adults in Pulaski County through being lifeguards…it’s going to be good to get them back in 2025 and mentor them,” said Dunnigan.
Margaret Nester, a Pulaski County resident, says she believes the new water park will be worth the wait.
“You don’t want any harm coming to anyone, so the wait — that is really nothing. That’s going to be worthwhile,” said Nester. “I’ll be venturing in there. When this opens up, I’ll be here the very first day. Hopefully, my great-grandkids will visit me, and I can bring them here!”
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Residents say it’s not just the pool but the entire Randolph Park that helps make Pulaski County what it is. Community members told WFXR they can’t wait for the heightened sense of community the poolhouse seems to offer.
“When the pool gets back open, the buses will be out here, the people will be out here. You know, they would come from southern West Virginia from northwestern North Carolina,” said John Gill. “The park means everything to the community”
Officials assure that while construction is going on, other planned activities like summer camps and sports tournaments will go on as scheduled. They hope the park can be done by 2025.
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