Blaine County Journal Article – Donna Miller
A representative from Corland Construction, Jon Kleinke was in Chinook on August 1 to receive final instructions and to take part in a Ground-Breaking Ceremony. His primary purpose was to touch base with the Friends of the Pool and Park Foundation (FPPF) Board before the company, which is based in Sidney, Montana, begins the first phase of the pool’s rehabilitation.
Because Friday was the last day of swim practice, Lions’ Swim Team members joined FPPF Board members, City Council member Stacey Hasler, and other project supporters for a photo opportunity, which marks the official beginning of the Project Construction Phase. Following the picture, several people cheered, and one person even yelled, “Let’s do this!”
According to FPPF President Heather DePriest, the pool will soon be drained so that it is dry and ready for the construction crew when they arrive on August 18. To complete the work, a job superintendent will accompany anywhere from four-six crew members.
Upon their arrival on August 18, the Corland crew will erect temporary fencing, stage their job trailer, and begin mobilizing equipment. From that point, work will progress in stages, with the next step being demolition of distressed areas and the removal of the decayed pool decking. That process will be followed by the installation of a stainless steel perimeter and drains. Corland crews will also repair the concrete cracking and rehabilitate the main pool body by inserting a new liner. “That will be one of the last things we do,” Kleinke stated.
He added: “Many of the components we install will be provided by Natare Corporation, which manufactures a wide range of high-quality swimming pool parts.”
Another person on hand for the Ground-Breaking Ceremony was the most recent FPPF donor, Kris (Stebar) Thiel, a former Chinook resident who currently resides in Spearfish, South Dakota. A 1985 graduate of Chinook High School, Thiel was in town for her 40 year class reunion. Her $5,000 donation will be used toward the purchase of the pool’s sand filter. Thiel’s gift was given “in loving memory” of her mother Joyce Stebar who passed away in 2010. Stebar was not only an avid bowler but a supporter of the pool, a fact which inspired her daughter to make the donation in her mother’s name.
Upon being thanked by DePriest, who called the donation “extremely generous and much appreciated,” Thiel responded: “We spent countless hours at the pool when we were children. I am happy to make the donation to honor my mother.”