Pool, rec center top Franklin parks priorities

Staff reports

The Franklin Parks Department is putting future projects on hold until officials know how much the renovations to the city’s pool will cost.

The pool improvements are part of a list of projects the department wants to complete with a $3.6 million loan. The projects include doubling the size of the fitness room at the recreation center, adding a zero-depth pool at Franklin Memorial Swimming Pool, extending trails throughout the city and replacing playground equipment at multiple parks.

The pool and recreation center projects are taking top priority.

Parks department officials expected to spend about $1 million on renovations to the pool, but parks superintendent Chip Orner said the improvements could cost more than anticipated.

If they do, the department will have to cut back on the other projects planned to be paid for with the loan, such as buying a mobile stage, he said.

Construction on the pool and recreation center will start next month, and most of the other projects on the department’s list, such as the trail extensions, will be completed next spring, Orner said.

The pool is a priority because the renovations will bring in more customers and increase the revenue to help the pool pay for itself, he said. The improvements also will ensure the department won’t have to pay for any large maintenance costs for the next 15 years, he said.

Orner said that after the renovations pool visitors will be able to slide down a new, longer water slide, play under a structure that dumps water from buckets and sit on a new patio that will include 250 more lounging chairs. The play structure will be built in a zero-depth pool that will sit next to the main pool, and a new deck area will be built where the baby pool is now.

He said the expansion will mean 300 to 400 more visitors can use the pool at one time.

The parks department hopes the pool will look new once the improvements are complete.

“When we decided to do the pool renovations, a significant, costly project, we wanted to make sure we set this facility up for the next 15 years. We shouldn’t need any more major maintenance,” Orner said.

The recreation center, which is next to the pool, also will see major renovations with money from the loan.

The center’s fitness room will double in size, and $50,000 will be spent to replace weights and add six to eight new pieces of cardio equipment. The roof will be replaced, office space will be added, and the drainage system will be repaired.

In the past year, the center’s lobby has flooded about eight times, but that will be fixed with the project, Orner said.

He said the renovated pool will open in May, and the recreation center construction should be completed within three or four months.

Booth vendors sought

for cancer fundraiser

The Franklin Relay for Life Team will host its second Shop to Stop Cancer on Nov. 10.

The fundraiser will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Whiteland Community High School.

The sale will feature vendors selling merchandise available to be taken home that day. Vendor representatives include those from Tastefully Simple, Mary Kay, Pampered Chef, Longaberger, Avon and many others.

Booth rental is $40 and is tax deductible. All booth rental fees will go to the American Cancer Society.

The show is sponsored by the Faith, Hope and a Cure team for Relay for Life.

For more information or to rent booth space, contact Erin Napier at bekanapier@yahoo.com.

Movie about theater

for sale at museum

A DVD about the history of Franklin’s Artcraft Theatre is available for sale at the Johnson County Museum of History.

“The Historic Artcraft Theatre of Franklin, Indiana: Celebrating 90 Years of Entertainment” tells the stories of the Artcraft through oral histories, behind-the-scenes tours, vintage photographs and artifacts.

The video segments include profiles of the “Popcorn Lady” Irene Petro, who worked at the concession counter for more than 30 years; and Trueman Rembusch, the colorful owner of the theater in its heyday.

The video also demonstrates the 1950s-era projectors, which are both still used at the theater. The DVD also explores the theater’s historic renovations and current efforts to bring the theater back to its mid-century grandeur.

The DVD was produced for the Johnson County Museum of History by Ange Bolton and Max Albsmeyer.

The cost of the DVD is $10; proceeds benefit the museum and the theater. It can be purchased in the gift shop on the main floor of the museum, 135 N. Main St., Franklin.

Information: JohnsonCounty

Museum.org, 346-4500

Fundraisers today for cancer support group

The Pink Ribbon Connection, a local nonprofit working to help breast cancer patients and survivors, will host two fundraisers today at Greenwood Chick-fil-A restaurants.

Volunteers from the Pink Ribbon Connection will be at the Greenwood Park Mall location and the store off State Road 135. Chick-fil-A has agreed to donate 20 percent of all purchases from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. to the organization.

Customers need to present a card at the time of purchase so that the Pink Ribbon Connection receives credit. Pick up a card at the information tables at both Chick-fil-A locations.

The addresses for the participating Chick-fil-A restaurants are 155 S. Marlin Drive, and 1251 U.S. 31 North, both in Greenwood.

Garage, bake sale to aid needy dance students

Starlight Dance Academy in Whiteland is planning an event this month to help families afford the expenses of extracurricular activities.

The academy will host a community yard and craft sale from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.

The sale will be in the warehouse by the studio, 189 U.S. 31 North in Whiteland.

All proceeds will go to the students of the studio to help pay for dance events and costumes.