September 13, 2017
Looking to summer 2018
Around Town St. Jude Children’s Hospital celebrates winner of Dream Home Giveaway P.4
Community Living Adult Recreation Services now offer inclusive programming P.4 Local organizations collaborate to offer free health fair in St. Charles P.6
Healthy Living The rise of heroin use. P.5 Cancer prevention: what you can do. P.5
School
Construction at the Wapelhorst Aquatic Facility, located at 1875 Muegge Rd., in St. Charles, continues with a completion date set for summer of 2018.
Photo by Ray Rockwell
Revamped aquatic parks to open in city of St. Charles next year By Brett Auten As the sounds of summer start to wane from our ears, look no further than next year when two revamped aquatic parks will ignite fun in the sun. Excitement and optimism abound at the city of St. Charles Parks and Recreation Department as the passing of Prop P has allowed the start of upcoming projects that will be finished just in time for swimsuit season 2018. “More rides, more slides and more attractions,” Maralee Britton, Director of the St. Charles Parks and Recreation Department, said. “There is definitely a lot of upgrades. Some big, some smaller. These aquatic parks have seen some wear and tear and there will be a lot of great amenities.” In August 2016 the residents of St. Charles approved a 1/2 cent sales tax that would be split with two-thirds of the funding going to storm water and one-third going to the parks and recreation department for outdoor recreational uses. According to park officials, over the 15-year life of the sales tax, it is estimated to generate $21,000,000 for the parks and recreation department. Of that amount, $18,000,000 has been set aside
for the replacement of the Blanchette Aquatic Facility and renovation of the Wapelhorst Aquatic Facility. The remaining $3,000,000 has been allocated towards playground replacements, athletic field light upgrades and ball field upgrades. After a number of public meetings, staff discussions and presentations with the park
“More rides, more slides and more attractions.”
- Maralee Britton, St. Charles Parks and Recreation Department board and city council the recommendation was finalized to demolish and replace the Blanchette Aquatic Facility. The new facility is currently being built on the site of the old Boys & Girls Club building that is located adjacent to the current aquatic facility. Among the several updates at Blanchette Aquatic Facility, located at 1900 W Randolph St., in St. Charles, is the children’s
activity area with zero depth entry, a spray ground and activity pool, three slides, rock climbing wall, open swim area, lap pool with eight lanes, two diving boards and additional shade and parking. Wapelhorst closed its doors in July and is currently being demolished with the exception of the main entrance, concession and changing area public building and it famous five story speed slide. The new facility would be built within the footprint of the existing aquatic facility. The updates at the Wapelhorst Aquatic Facility, located at 1875 Muegge Rd., in St. Charles, are several, including: children’s activity area with zero-depth entry, children’s activity feature, spray ground, wet ledge, lazy river, one open body flume slide, one closed body flume slide, a Boomerango multi-passenger slide and additional shade and parking. The five story speed slide and entry building and concession stand will remain. “The Boomerango is the only one of its kind in our area and possibly the state,” Britton said. “It is going to be a great attraction See POOL page 2
Serving St. Louis, St. Charles, and Lincoln Counties | FREE Online at mycnews.com | Vol. 19 No. 37 | 636-379-1775
Top rating for the WSD P.8 New High-tech library completed at Lindenwood University. P.8
Learn & Play
Simply savory meals. P.11
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