New pool makes a big splash

WASILLA — At least to hear them tell it, the pool added to the back of the Alaska Club makes Wasilla the club’s premier branch.

“In my opinion, this is the finest club that we have in the network now,” said Robert Brewster, the club’s president.

Brewster said he spent a lot of time online looking at slides and play structures for the kid-friendly section of the pool. He finally settled on a slide twice as long as the one they have on O’Malley Road in Anchorage.

He said a key element of the facility are the family locker rooms, which allow parents with opposite-sex children to keep an eye on the young ones without disturbing guests in the adult locker rooms.

Sam Kehler, general manager of the Wasilla, Eagle River and Palmer clubs, was similarly proud of the addition, especially of its design. He said the three sections are completely separate water bodies, which allows the club to keep the different pools at different temperatures.

The water in the play structure and slide are heated to 88 degrees, the lap pool to 83. The ambient air temperature is 85 degrees. Kehler said most people complain about play structures that their kids get so cold coming in and out of the water. Lap swimmers need a colder pool to avoid overheating.

Tuesday, Wasilla Mayor Verne Rupright was on hand to cut the ribbon on the facility.

“When I saw the racquetball room I think you’re inducing me to join,” he said.

Brewster said the Valley club is a prime location to target families who want to come to the club together. Parents won’t feel as guilty for taking time away from their children if they’re swimming while mom’s on the treadmill.

And while other clubs may focus on the serious business of fitness, Brewster said it’s not a bad thing to have fun while you’re working out.

The pool also increases the staff of the club. Brewster said at least five or six new jobs were created when the addition was built.

Tuesday, Kehler looked almost like he’d rather be wearing swim trunks as he looked at the splash pool and the jungle gym with its big yellow water-dumping bucket.

“It’ll hold me and it’s super fun,” he said of the jungle gym. “I just can’t get dumped on by that water bucket enough.”

Contact Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.