News : Vinton Parks and Rec shares plans for the Summer

This new mural can be found at the Vinton Pool, courtesy of the Vinton Guild of Fine Arts

The pool's facelift is cleaned and getting ready to invite swimmers to the pool

Broc Shaw, Pete Eilers and Scott Wirth VPRD Director share some of the summer activities with Vinton Kiwanis

Scott Wirth, director at the Vinton Parks and Rec Department, shared plans for the department with the local Kiwanis. 

Broc Shaw kicked off the presentation, sharing that he had just finished classes at Kirkwood with a degree in Horticulture. He had joined the team while finishing up and was grateful for the flexibility. Before starting with VPRD he'd worked in Center Point and Cedar Rapids where he gained a little bit of experience in the field. He is currently assisting Brian Elwick, the Parks Foreman.

Pete Eilers, Assistant Director, shared some of the programming that is happening for children this summer. There will be Kiddie Kickers (soccer) happening in May and after that, the summer will be in full swing with baseball, blastball, t-ball, softball, and summer camps which run Monday-Thursday with three hours of events in the mornings. The camp meets at Riverside and sometimes they will make a visit to Benton County Conservation, the skate rink, library and etc.

Scott also noted that Abby Davis will be returning to help with programming. 

The Pool

Opening day is May 23. Pete will be in charge of operations at the pool.

The 38-year0old pool was painted last year Scott shared, and now it's been power-washed, cleaned out and it is being prepared to open for the summer season. A total of 17 lifeguards have been hired to cover the pool this summer. 

Last year, he said the pool booked 150 private lessons and this year they opened up spots for 200, and they are already filled!

Wirth explained that if you have your pool cards from last year, you can go online and renew your membership for this year. If you are new to the program or if you need a replacement card, you'll just have to stop at the Rec Center where they will take your photo and get you a card for $5.. 

Pool membership went down in cost by $30 this year.

New Mural

The Vinton Guild of Fine Arts is at it again. The group has created a mural for swimmers to pose next to for a memorable photo.

 Farmers Market

...begins in June and runs through the end of August. The fun will be held every Thursday night from 5-7:00 p.m. at Celebration Park. Last year they set a new record of 28 vendors and it continues to grow. 

Party in the Park

...will run three days again this year from July 16-18 and will include the band Spazmatics. 

Party in Pink

...will move downtown this year. 

The Skating Rink

---is busy running throughout the summer, and the department is able to rent it out for private gatherings, school districts and etc. Scott said the facility is something a lot of other towns do not offer. 

Projects

Kiwanis Park - There added outdoor fitness equipment and a Gaga Ball Pit and a sidewalk leading to the shelter. There are plans to add a story walk as well. The projects are slated to be finished by June. The park now has three new memorial tables in the park.

Hummel Shelter - will be getting an upgrade adding metal walls, courtesy of a donation by the Hummel family and matched by VPRD. 

Mini Golf Course - will be taken out because it's not being utilized enough.The pieces will be auctioned on GovDeals a website used to sell government property. The plan is to let it sit as they come up with a plan for that area. 

Flower Pots and Veteran Banners

The pots were collected in January and are being repotted and should arrive downtown around the end of May.

Veterans Banners

The second set of Veteran Banners will be placed before Memorial Day, This year five more have been added. 

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Pool pictures are courtesy of VPRD