Twenty-four months of construction and 250,000 gallons of water later, the long-awaited opening of the Fairmont Aquatic Center is now just weeks away.
Residents of Sugar House and nearby Salt Lake neighborhoods have watched eagerly as the 36,441-square-foot building has risen from vacant ground adjacent to Fairmont Park.
Construction glitches have caused nagging delays, but the $5.8 million state-of-the-art county facility at 1044 E. Sugarmont Drive (2300 South) is due to open at the latest by Jan. 15.
That opening will represent the last fully funded Zoo, Arts and Parks project to come online since voters approved the sales tax increase in 1996.
Salt Lake County was able to get approval for a fast-track plan to bond against the anticipated revenue, completing 12 parks and recreation projects in less than two years. The one-quarter of 1 percent sales tax levy will be up for renewal by voters in 2006.
Gene McIntyre, the county's first aquatic director, said Fairmont's signature feature is a sophisticated scoreboard for competitive swimming that will post everything from athlete's names to sponsors of events.
"About the only thing it doesn't do is make coffee."
Fairmont features two pools on separate heating and filtration systems. One is an eight-lane 25-yard pool designed specifically for competitive swimming. Members of the Highland High School swim team — who have been using the Steiner facility — will have a place to call home. Master swimmers, those who are older but still compete, will be able to use the facility for training and other events. Bleachers will accommodate nearly 400 spectators so family and friends can enjoy.
A second pool is crafted especially with children in mind.
There's a 100-foot-long twisting purple slide that doesn't offer too much speed but does effectively plant kids in 3 1/2 feet of water. A winding channel offers a current to carry swimmers along, or the more energetic can engage in "salmon training" and swim against the tide.
An assortment of gadgets will keep youngsters soaked and entertained. Stairs spray plumes of water, yellow tear drops shoot water into the air and a brightly colored gadget complete with knobs and handles lets children design their own brand of fountains.
"It's taking the outdoor playground idea and basically putting it in an aquatic environment," McIntyre said.
Coupled with the swimming and water-play attractions is the facility's open-air design, which features full-length walls on the south and west sides of paned glass, offering views of snow-covered spruce trees and a pond full of water fowl.
Indoors, patrons can take advantage of a "wet classroom."
The accommodations are suitable for people soaked from using the pool, and parents will be able to rent the room as part of a birthday party package that includes swim admission.
McIntyre said the facility will enhance an already lively Salt Lake County swimming program that strives to meet the diverse needs of all residents.
He expects to draw patrons from about 3900 South north to the University of Utah, but the facility is open to anyone.
Fairmont is already fielding calls from residents eager to get their feet wet at the new facility.
For years, the only public pool in the Sugar House area was the outdoor Fairmont pool, owned by Salt Lake City but managed and operated by the county.
Full of gunk, leaves, debris and snow, the pool sits idle and abandoned now, ready at some point for future reclamation by Salt Lake City.
E-mail: amyjoi@desnews.com