Visitors to the Hermiston Family Aquatic Center will be treated to a new attraction, but will have to wait until next summer to enjoy it.
Hermiston Parks and Recreation Director Larry Fetter said plans are under way to install a new slide at the aquatic center to go along with the current slide. Fetter said the new slide will be 100 feet long, just over 15 feet in height and will be enclosed, unlike the existing slide. It will be installed in the fall and ready for use next summer.
The aquatic center was originally designed to accommodate two slides, but the second slide was never installed due to budget constraints, Fetter said. The cost of the new slide will be $65,000 and the money will come from the Transient Room Tax Recreation Fund. The Transient Room Tax Committee approved the funding at its June meeting.
Fetter said the company installing the new slide is charging $20,000 less than the quote given to the city by the company that installed the original slide.
“The installer was able to squeeze us into his fall schedule at a reduced cost because he has a job in the area,” Fetter said.
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