{gallery}10_22_09/pool102209{/gallery} Derek Street of Casper grinds a piece of metal near the continuous river at the Powell Aquatic Center. Sletten Construction and subcontractor crews are concentrating on interior work at the pool. Construction started last October, and the facility is slated for a February/March 2010 completion. Tribune photo by Carla Wensky Aquatic center on track for early 2010 openingSparks fly, dust settles and power tools roar. Hard hat-clad workers focus on jobs around the Powell Aquatic Center, their breath visible in the crisp October air.It's a typical, busy day at the pool site. “There's a flurry of activity going on at the Powell Aquatic Center,” said Gary Butts, the city public services manager.

Construction began last October, and as the ongoing project reaches its one-year mark, momentum continues to build.

“We're going into the home stretch now,” said Casey Waltari, the project manager for general contractor, Sletten Construction. “We're on the downhill side of the project.”

The next major benchmark in construction is the roof completion. The joists and base are in place, and the entire roof should be finished in about two weeks, Waltari said. Its completion hinges on weather conditions.

“Roofing is always a big milestone,” Waltari said. “It allows for a lot of the interior stuff to be done … the interior work is proceeding, and it's about where it's scheduled to be.”

Interior masonry walls are being constructed, and some exterior walls have been washed. Waltari said construction is on track for an end of February/beginning of March 2010 completion.

It will take a while for the pool to open after construction is finished, said City Aquatic Superintendent Carrie Parmer.

She said the parking lot will take additional time after the facility's construction, as much of that space is currently occupied by equipment and vehicles. Staff training, water testing and other activities also must be completed before the center opens its doors to swimmers. Considering those variables, Parmer said she couldn't specify how long it would take for the pool to open.

“We'll turn it over as quickly as we can,” she said.

As she sat on an unfinished bench in the pool's continuous river on Tuesday, Parmer commented, “I'm ready to see this pool full of people.”

The pool has had water in it to make sure the vessels hold it properly. Official tests haven't been completed yet, but based on trial runs, everything looks good so far, Waltari said.

The aquatic center will include an eight-lane recreation pool, a leisure pool with a continuous river, a spray pad, play features for families and a concessions area. Everything will be accessible for people with disabilities, Parmer added.

Eventually, the center could include a dry recreation area or gym, Parmer said.

“It's in people's minds,” she said. “But it's not one of the phases we're planning for right now. Someday, we could work toward that.”

She added that the south side of the building has been considered for possible expansion. However, “right now, our main focus is getting this portion done.”

“This is a fully-functional facility on its own,” Parmer said. “And it's too hard to predict (what will happen) with the economic conditions right now.”

A capital facilities tax passed in November 2006 covers $7 million of the pool's $9.25 million estimated construction cost. The tax also provides $2 million for an endowment. The one-cent tax expired Oct. 1.

Additional funding for the center's construction came from the State Loan and Investment Board, the Powell Recreation District, the Park County Parks and Recreation Board, the Moyer Foundation and Park County School District No. 1.

The city will pay an estimated $950,000 out of its reserves in hard costs at the aquatic center site to provide infrastructure — water and sewer lines, electricity and other necessary elements.

Fees for the pool, its operating schedule and other details are being worked out in the months before the spring 2010 opening, Parmer said.