From the sidelines
P-day is nearly here.
Sometime in the latter part of May will be forever known in Marion as the day the new pool opened.
P-day.
It's been nearly two years since there was a place to swim in Marion, but after seeing first-hand April 14 what the pool will look like, I know it will be worth the wait.
Oh, and don't forget about G-day.
Just a few months from now the new gymnasium will be finished, and I promise it will hit high on the Wow-factor.
Now, there is no doubt this process has not been perfect.
From the start there was some opposition from taxpayers, especially those outside the city limits.
But what doesn't have opposition?
And in the end, the bond passed nearly 2-1.
Then there were construction delays, weather problems, and minor changes some taxpayers thought hurt the project.
After seeing the progression of the project last week, it's obvious these buildings will be great for Marion.
I have been impressed with these buildings from the start.
The performing arts center did everything to make me believe the pool and gym will be as great as I thought.
The pool, which still needs to have the slide installed and the walls painted, it set to open in mid- to late May.
It has a zero-entry on the shallow end, and a deep end that reaches 12 and a half feet.
The walls will be painted teal, with red and blue Warrior-colored stripes across the middle.
The gym, which has more work, but will be done by the time school starts, is moving along.
One of the things I am looking forward to with the gymnasium, is the walking track above the gym floors.
But for a different reason than walking.
During athletic events, superintendent Lee Leiker informed me the track also is a place where children can play during the games, instead of running up and down sidelines, inches from players, as they did in the old gym.
Patrons will be happy to know there are a total for four bathrooms, two men's and two women's, in the pool and gym.
During most events in the gym only the two bathrooms on its side, which are bigger than in the old gym, will be open, but Leiker said the possibility of opening all four for larger events is there.
Another impressive feature of the gym is the fact there are no beams supporting the track that interfere with the crowd's vision.
The beams are mounted in the wall, far enough away they are hardly noticed.
In other gyms like this, that is not the case. Some views are obstructed by the beams.
And the basketball goals will knock your socks off.
Maybe I am biased because they are similar to the ones in Allen Field House, but even if you are not a Jayhawk fan, that is still pretty impressive.
Both of these buildings are state of the art, and they were possible without taxes being raised.
It's obvious by now where I stand on the issue of the project.
But the fact of the matter is, after a little more than two years, the buildings are nearly completed and ready to be used.
They will be talked about in other towns, and will leave an impression on all who enter.
Are they going to be perfect?
No.
But they will be a great asset to the community, and are an example of the City of Marion and Marion-Florence USD 408 working together to accomplish something for its citizens.
P-day. It's nearly here.
