On Friday, Aug. 22, at 5 p.m. Karl Teemant, Payson's community services director and acting project manager officially cut the ribbon on the new Payson Aquatic Center.

Mayor Bills told of the various pools that have been used by the youth of Payson including Spring Lake, Warm Springs, Salem Pond, damming up Peteetneet Creek, and the Canyon Resivors. Many of us took swimming lessons at the swimming pool on the north side of Memorial Park, After the flood in the 70's, Payson built a new state-of-the-art Centennial pool on the South side of the Park. After more than 30 years, that pool simply wore out.

In 2003 the pool committee which had been appointed by the Council consisted of Kim Anderson, Dean Moody, Joanne Mattinson, Sheila Thurston, Joanne Baker, Karl Teemant, Colleen Jacobson, Brad Daley, and Russ Hillman. They explored options for a future pool and visited many other community pools, gathering information. They felt that a lap and leisure pool would be the most beneficial for our community.

In July 2005, surveys were sent to the residents to get a better feel of what the community opinions were. With that information the VCBO Architectural firm was hired and conceptual drawings done.

At the Council Retreat in 2006, the Aquatic center became one of their priority Goals. Hogan was the official. General Contractor.

Ground Breaking was on April 2, 2007. After a month of weather related delays the new Payson City Aquatic Center opened to the public on July 4 , 2008. It has been a success with close to 1,000 swimmers per day!

The competition/lap pool features

6 lanes x 25 yds.

1 meter diving board (optional)

Built-in spectator seating

The Recreational Pool features:

10,000 sq ft of water

Zero beach entry

Lazy River

Play Toy features

Helecal Slide

Speed slide

water vortex

Handicap ramp

Concession stand

Sun deck

Party Space

Family change lockers

The new pool facility will utilize energy efficient equipment.

These pools are for all ages from toddlers to Senior Citizens and will encompass not only interactive water play but also state of the art water exercises.