Vernon council commit $800K to revamp beloved wading pool

Vernon city council has approved spending $800,000 on revamping the much-loved outdoor peanut pool and park.

The 64-year-old Lakeview Wading Pool, more commonly known as peanut pool because of its shape, has been scheduled for an upgrade with the City asking for public input earlier this year.

At today's, March 28, Vernon council meeting councillors agreed to spend $800,000 on the pool. The money will come from various City reserve funds.

The newly revamped pool would include a new spray park, but no other details were given at the meeting.

Earlier this year, the City put out a public survey asking residents for feedback on the future of the iconic paddling pool and park and including a conceptual design plan.

The plan included a new rectangular wadding pool, although the spray park would be peanut-shaped to pay homage to the original pool. The revitalization plan includes a complete redesign of the washroom, change room and mechanical building, as well as making the pool more accessible to users.

The peanut pool originally opened to the public in 1958 and has been a popular designation in Lakeview Park ever since.

The survey stated that the City had applied for various grants to revitalize the Peanut Pool and it estimated it would cost $2.5-million to upgrade the facility.

There was no discussion at today's meeting, about what grants may or may not have been received.

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