Public shares thoughts and opinions on new Beatrice pool, at Wednesday open house

BEATRICE, Neb. - A southeast Nebraska town is utilizing the opinions of the public to formulate a plan for a new pool.

The city of Beatrice held an open house Wednesday afternoon, where residents shared their thoughts on what amenities they’d like to see.

“We’re asking people what amenities they may want in a new facility,  if that were to happen, what program they want to see in a new facility, so we’re just trying to gather some information.”

Kyle McCauley is principal for Waters Edge Aquatic Design, a Kansas City company conducting consulting for the possible new pool. One of the first steps for Waters Edge was assessing Beatrice’s current Big Blue Water Park.

“The current pool has some age on it, but it has the normal wear it would have for a facility of its age,” McCauley said. “The city staff has done a good job maintaining it so it stays a serviceable facility, but there’s things in the original construction that need to be replaced.”

During the two hour open house spoke with McCauley, as well as city officials, but also used stickers on different boards with options of possible amenities the new pool could hold. McCauley says popular choices were any updated or new amenities.

“Just some different amenities that the current pool doesn’t have now like a lazy river or a water slide.”