A ribbon cutting ceremony and free open swim will mark the grand reopening of Easling Pool Saturday - part of a larger "Community Connections" celebration taking place throughout the Grand Traverse County Civic Center.

Over 450 donors helped raised more than $750,000 to renovate Easling Pool, which has been under construction since July 1. Improvements include a new pool liner, ultraviolet water sanitizing system, new air-handling equipment, new decking, high-efficiency lighting, and updated locker rooms. “We are most grateful for the breadth of support for this well-loved and well-used swimming pool,” says Bridget Thuente, president of Friends of Easling Pool. “Now, we are ready for the next 50 years, serving our community’s health and water safety needs.”

A ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the pool's reopening will take place at noon Saturday. The ceremony will be followed by free open swim in the pool until 4pm. Regular Central Y business hours and operations - including Easling Pool and the adjacent fitness center - will resume on Monday, October 1.

The pool reopening is one of several Community Connection festivities taking place throughout the Civic Center park Saturday. Other events include "Street Art in the Skate Park," featuring live music and graffiti artists painting the skate park; free open skating with complimentary skate rentals in Howe Arena, along with TC Figure Skating Club coaches promoting the “Learn to Skate” program; recreation and programming partner demonstrations and games; a rugby match; and prizes.

During the Community Connections event, park visitors will be issued “passports” to be stamped when they visit each partner throughout the park. Partners participating in the event include Centre I.C.E., Grand Traverse Bay YMCA, Grand Traverse Social Sports, Norte, Parallel 45 Theatre, TBAYS North Storm Soccer, TC Figure Skating Club, Traverse Bay Blues Rugby, Traverse City Roller Derby, and Traverse City Junior Derby. Completed passports will be entered into a drawing for prizes, including Norte swag, an overnight stay at the new Holiday Cabin in Twin Lakes Park, tickets for Parallel 45 Theatre’s 2019 season, and more.

Photo credit: Kristine Erickson