As clouds part, Manitowoc Family Aquatic Center opens

MANITOWOC — Kyle Gallenberger's goal was to be the first down a waterslide Friday at the grand opening of the Manitowoc Family Aquatic Center. He succeeded.

"It was great," Gallenberger, 16, said after zipping down the green closed-tube slide. "The best part was how fast it went."

About 150 people attended the "towel-cutting" ceremony at the aquatic center in Citizen Park, 18th and Rankin streets, before the pool opened officially to the public.

Annette Henry said she attended to show her support for the aquatic center.

"We came because it's an exciting thing for this community to have a place for the kids to go," she said.

Henry's son Michael attended to swim.

"I've been waiting a long time for this," Michael Henry, 10, said. "I remember how fun the last pool was."

Despite a rainy forecast, the sun popped out before the grand opening.

"I was a little nervous," Amy Fricke-Weigel, president of the Friends of the Manitowoc Family Aquatic Center said. "But I told my children it's just God cleaning up everything. No matter what, we were going to do it."

Speakers at the ceremony included Fricke-Weigel, Mayor Justin Nickels, former Mayor Kevin Crawford and Thomas Bare, president of the Ruth St. John and John Dunham West Foundation.

"Look what we did as a community," Fricke-Weigel said. "(The aquatic center) is beautiful, full of life and that's what Manitowoc is all about. I'm happy to see it become a reality."

The project began in 2003 when Crawford asked a group of citizens to evaluate building another pool because the existing pool was leaking large amounts of water and needed to be closed. Friends of the Manitowoc Family Aquatic Center raised $2.7 million, and the city donated $2 million. More than 300 people, groups and businesses donated $1,000 or more.

The West Foundation donated $1.5 million to the project.

"We finally have our swimming pool back," Bare said. "We are pleased to have played a role in making this park a reality. It's going to be appreciated by the kids, grandmas and grandpas, moms and dads."

Amenities in the aquatic center include two water slides, a speed slide, a diving board, a four-lane lap pool, a lazy river, a zero-entry area of the pool, a sand play area and a concession stand.

Adam Backus brought his 2-year-old daughter to check out what they likely will be visiting on a frequent basis.

"We're not swimming today, but throughout the summer, as it gets a little warmer, I think we'll utilize it," he said. "It looks really nice."

Fricke-Weigel said she is not only excited for the opening this summer, but for many more in the years to come.

"This is going to be a great thing for Manitowoc," Fricke-Weigel said. "For us to make this successful, we all have to use it. We have to be proud of the things we have in this community."