Pool construction set to begin in September

There have been slips in the construction schedule – adding a new pump house/filtration building caused one delay – but Wake Forest Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Director Ruben Wall said this week the bids to totally rebuild the Holding Park Pool are scheduled to be opened on Aug. 8 with construction to start in September.

“The pump house did cause a minor delay but it will not impact the timeline to complete the project by next May,” Wall said. The new pump house was added to the project because the existing one is too small for the new equipment needed for all the features planned for the reconstructed pool. Also, the new pump house/filtration building will be in line with the lap pool while the existing one was offset from the swimming pool.

The new pump house was added to the project in May after Wall made a presentation to the town board about the size problem and the condition of the pump house, which was built in 1977-78 when the pool was totally rebuilt. The original pool was built in 1942, a joint project of the town and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) which included construction of the Community House.

When complete next year, Holding Park Pool will have three water features – a six-lane lap pool, a plunge pool with slides and a children’s activity pool – along with small and large umbrella tables and seating.

The existing stone platform and stairs will remain as will the existing concession stand and bathhouse under the Community House.

Holding Park is named for Dr. Solomon Holding whose large house stood on the present park site, facing South Main Street. Dr. Holding was the sixth son of Willis Holding and Nancy Pace Holding, born in 1871. He died in 1951. After his death the family donated the land where the house stood to the town. The park consists of that land along with a small amount of land donated by Zua Davis, whose brick house still stands next to the park.