If you love swimming, sitting by the pool and tanning in the sun, you are in luck. Holding Park Pool is currently being renovated and will be open this summer.

“Opening! I’m excited about our opportunity to re-create the aquatics experience for citizens of Wake Forest. The old pool, originally constructed in the 1940s, served the Town and its citizens very well, but was in need of major repairs,” said Edward Austin, Town of Wake Forest aquatics and athletics superintendent in an email. “Instead of repairing the existing facility, we had the opportunity to bring a new type of facility to the citizens, and we look forward to seeing people enjoy the facility for many years.”

When the town pool first closed down, Director of Town of Wake Forest Park and Recreation Ruben Wall expressed how the town pool should be a place where children can learn safety skills in a fun environment. Now, the new pool will supply this membership experience along with other things.

“The new aquatics center will offer a means of social interaction, exercise, life safety skills, relaxation and stress relief. Citizens will have an opportunity to participate in swimming lessons, aerobic, low-impact exercise, special events (movie nights,) and general water safety classes will also be held,” Wall said.

While there is zeal for the project, citizens have expressed concern over the financial impact it will have on the town.

“We decided to modernize the pool so we will actually have three different facilities. There will be a lap pool, a splash pool and a children’s pool. There will be a slide and other enhancements. We are also adding some tables, chairs and umbrellas to the deck area. The total cost of design, construction, equipment and furniture will be $3,200,000. We have borrowed $2,900,000 at 2.85% interest for ten years,” Mayor Vivian Jones said.

After the aquatic center launches, the plan is to use the revenue generated from that opening day onward to support operational costs.

Jones thinks that this project is worth the cost and that residents of our community will reap the benefits.

“I believe it was important to restore the pool and have this facility for our residents. Some neighborhoods have pools for their residents, but there are lots of homes in Wake Forest that do not have access to a neighborhood pool,” Jones said. “Belonging to a private pool is beyond the financial capability of many residents. I believe it is very important for children to have an opportunity to learn to swim. This is just another one of the recreational opportunities I believe we should provide for our residents to have healthy, fun activities.”