Roselle Park District residents are diving in and enjoying the new Kemmerling Park Pool. The $5.1 million aquatic center had its grand opening June 7.

    The new aquatic complex includes three major components.

    •      The eight-lane competition pool provides a new home facility for Roselle’s swim team, more than 100 members strong, and which has been using rented pool space for several years. The lap pool includes a removable in-pool volleyball court for additional fun under the sun.

    •       Attached to the competition pool is the family-friendly aquatic area with a number of fun features that add wow to the pool. There’s a zero-depth beach entry, toddler slide and both in-pool and on-deck play and spray features for the younger set. There’s also a bubble bench, a great place to relax in the pool and enjoy a cascade of bubbles. And with its rushing rapids, the current channel offers an exciting change of pace from the leisure pool as well as a great way to get in some resistance exercise.

    •       The separate 12-foot dive pool includes plenty of chances for deep-water thrills and chills, with a drop slide plus a diving tower with a one-meter diving board and three-meter diving platform. In-pool stairs make it simple to enter and exit the diving well, plus creates seating for deep-water classes and a popular gathering spot for teens.

    The project also includes a new full-service concession stand, eating area, shade structures and manager’s office, and a renovated and refreshed bathhouse, complete with a modern family changing area.

    Other portions of the 10-acre Kemmerling Park also have been transformed as part of the project. People of all ages can find fun in the park, with upgrades to the baseball field and bleachers, new playground equipment, a new running/walking/biking path, and an active-adult area that includes two trellis structures with swinging benches, concrete chess tables, a bocce ball court and horseshoe pit. And with a service window outside the pool fencing, park patrons can obtain taste treats at the pool concession area.

    To fully utilize taxpayer amenities and dollars, the park district partnered with Roselle School District 12 to permit pool and park patrons to use parking spaces in the nearby middle school parking lot.

    Roselle patrons eagerly awaited the new pool. The original pool opened in 1970 and was used until major structural damage forced its closure in 2001.