Water Slide

The Hagerstown City Council on Tuesday voted to buy a $60,000 water slide for Potterfield Pool even though some council members said they may face criticism for the decision. The total cost of the water slide, including installation, is expected to be about $105,000, Finance Director Alfred Martin said. The city faces a budget shortfall of about $2 million with the next fiscal year, so some residents may question whether the city can afford the slide, Councilman Lewis C. Metzner said.

scottb@herald-mail.com The Hagerstown City Council Tuesday reached a consensus to buy a water slide for Potterfield Pool at an estimated cost of about $105,000. The city can use a $27,000 state grant to pay for part of the costs, Finance Director Alfred Martin said. Martin suggested the city fund the rest of the costs through a five-year financing plan. If the city wants the water slide in place for the 2003 summer season it must order the slide this month, Martin said.

Shaniya Johnson, 5, of Hagerstown, shoots down the water slide and into the cool water Tuesday at Claude M. Potterfield Pool in Hagerstown.

Funding list Items for which the Hagerstown City Council agreed to seek lodging tax money to help fund include: HEIGHT="6" ALT=" "> $200,000 to help pay for the construction of a new and expanded lobby for The Maryland Theatre. This could require the demolition of the former McBare's Pub building, which is owned by the city. HEIGHT="6" ALT=" "> $16,000 for portable bleachers for Fairgrounds Park. HEIGHT="6" ALT=" "> $8,000 to help pay for a new water slide for the city's Claude M. Potterfield Pool.

Contract awarded for water slide The Hagerstown City Council on Tuesday awarded a $45,000 contract for the installation at Potterfield Pool of a 118-foot water slide, which should be ready for use by next summer, city officials said. The motion was approved 4-1, with Councilman Kristin B. Aleshire opposed. The contract was awarded to Callas Contractors of Hagerstown, which will be required to install the water slide by mid-April 2004. The slide would be available for the public during next year's pool season, City Engineer Rodney Tissue said.

The Broadfording Church of the Brethren Fellowship in Cearfoss is having a pig and corn roast/community music event Saturday from 2 to 6 p.m. There will be fun activities for children, including a water slide. The meal will be served at 4 p.m. Tickets cost $8 for adults; $4 for ages 5 to 12; and nothing for those 4 and younger. Music will be provided at 2 p.m. by Bev Mowen-Hann, at 3 p.m. by Hilltop Gospel Boys, at 4 p.m. by Forgiven and at 5 p.m. by Fertile Soil. Proceeds will benefit the senior high youth ministries of the church.

scottb@herald-mail.com Hagerstown city officials Wednesday went on live TV to answer questions that were phoned in about the proposed budget and related issues. Questions posed by nine callers on the citizens information program on the cable access channel were about Potterfield Pool, recycling, and other topics. After the event, City Administrator Bruce Zimmerman said the program - intended to provide another way for the city to get information to its residents and answer their questions - was a success.

chambersburg@herald-mail.com CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - Chambersburg's Municipal Pool is "middle-aged" after 35 years of operation, but it could get an $871,000 face-lift next year if the borough can get state funding. On Monday, the council approved hiring Wallover Associates of Lancaster, Pa., to design improvements to the pool's concession stand and wading pool and add a 2,500-square-foot "sprayground" area to the wading pool. The contract approved by the council is for the first phase of proposed improvements to the pool and is not to exceed $34,595.

tarar@herald-mail.com WILLIAMSPORT - Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts near Williamsport is planning a multimillion-dollar expansion that includes a water park, a water slide and additional guest accommodations, according to information included with a Washington County Planning Commission agenda. The proposed 10-year development plan has gained the backing of two Washington County agencies, according to the information. A discussion of the proposed plan is expected to take place at the Dec. 6 Planning Commission meeting, at 7 p.m., at 80 W. Baltimore St. The Hagerstown-Washington County Economic Development Commission and the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB)

By LISA GRAYBEAL Staff Writer, Waynesboro WAYNESBORO, Pa. - Workers are diving into another season of cleaning and repairing Northside Park Pool, a job that gets more difficult each year. Considered top-of-the-line when the in-ground public swimming pool was built in 1972 off of Brown Street, the 25-year-old 'Z' formation 100-meter pool is past its prime. The main building, containing the front desk, men's and women's locker rooms, lifeguard station, and concession stand, is also showing its age. "A lot of patching has been done over the past 20 years," said Waynesboro Councilman Vicki Huff, during a tour of the pool and surrounding grounds.

Shaniya Johnson, 5, of Hagerstown, shoots down the water slide and into the cool water Tuesday at Claude M. Potterfield Pool in Hagerstown.

Pig roast planned The Broadfording Church of the Brethren Fellowship in Cearfoss will hold a pig and corn roast/community music event Saturday from 2 to 6 p.m. There will be activities for children, including a water slide. The meal will be served at 4 p.m. Tickets cost $8 for adults and $4 for those ages 5 to 12. Those 4 and younger eat free. Music will be provided by Bev Mowen-Hann at 2 p.m.; Down Home Gospel Singers at 3 p.m.; Fertile Soil at 4 p.m.; and Hilltop Gospel Boys at 5 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the church pavilion.

HAGERSTOWN -- Keiana Hardman was stuck in a current Monday, losing strength as she struggled to keep her head above water and to avoid being drawn into the churning water near a dam on Antietam Creek. Then, she saw Hagerstown Fire Department Capt. Mark Cleck swimming toward her. "I knew that I would be alive," when she saw Cleck heading for her, Keiana said Thursday morning as she stood on the bank near the spot where she struggled in the turbulent water below the dam off Memorial Boulevard where it meets Eastern Boulevard.

The Broadfording Church of the Brethren Fellowship in Cearfoss is having a pig and corn roast/community music event Saturday from 2 to 6 p.m. There will be fun activities for children, including a water slide. The meal will be served at 4 p.m. Tickets cost $8 for adults; $4 for ages 5 to 12; and nothing for those 4 and younger. Music will be provided at 2 p.m. by Bev Mowen-Hann, at 3 p.m. by Hilltop Gospel Boys, at 4 p.m. by Forgiven and at 5 p.m. by Fertile Soil. Proceeds will benefit the senior high youth ministries of the church.

WILLIAMSPORT - With more than 300 guests, business and government officials and campers in attendance, Hagerstown's award-winning Jellystone Parks new splash pool and 400-foot long water slides were officially opened. Owners Ronald and Vicki Vitkun, with their son Brett who cut the ribbon with huge gold scissors, were joined by other family members in attendance. They were joined by a long line of elected officials, other community leaders and friends, in cutting sections of the ribbon to the Jellystone's new Yogi Bear's Water Zone.

WILLIAMSPORT - The owners of Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park and Resorts announced the opening of two 400-foot-long water slides, part of a new water zone and splash pool. The slides were christened Rangers Revenge and Picnic Plunge - names chosen among thousands suggested during a yearlong contest, the park said in a news release. The park said its nearly five-year development plan also includes new cabins and RV sites. Owner Ron Vitkun said an open house is being planned for Yogi Bear's Water Zone.

Theater festival The Contemporary American Theater Festival is an annual presentation of new and recent plays. Plays include "The God of Hell," "American Tet," "Sonia Flew" and "Father Joy. " Begins today and continues through Sunday, July 31. Frank Center for the Creative Arts, Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, W.Va. For a complete schedule and ticket information, call 1-800-999-2283 or 304-876-3473, or go to www.catf.org/boxoffice . Hagerstown Speedway The 24th annual Stanley Schetrompf Classic - World of Outlaw late model, 50-lap late model plus pure stock special.

chambersburg@herald-mail.com CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - Chambersburg's Municipal Pool is "middle-aged" after 35 years of operation, but it could get an $871,000 face-lift next year if the borough can get state funding. On Monday, the council approved hiring Wallover Associates of Lancaster, Pa., to design improvements to the pool's concession stand and wading pool and add a 2,500-square-foot "sprayground" area to the wading pool. The contract approved by the council is for the first phase of proposed improvements to the pool and is not to exceed $34,595.

tarar@herald-mail.com WILLIAMSPORT - Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts near Williamsport is planning a multimillion-dollar expansion that includes a water park, a water slide and additional guest accommodations, according to information included with a Washington County Planning Commission agenda. The proposed 10-year development plan has gained the backing of two Washington County agencies, according to the information. A discussion of the proposed plan is expected to take place at the Dec. 6 Planning Commission meeting, at 7 p.m., at 80 W. Baltimore St. The Hagerstown-Washington County Economic Development Commission and the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB)