Published: June 06, 2009 11:16 pm      

Frostburg pool meets federal safety guideline

Concession building work under way at city complex

FROSTBURG — The Frostburg Community Swimming Pool, which opened May 23, was the first public pool in Allegany County to be certified as compliant with the federal Virginia Graham Baker Act, which makes such facilities safer.

The 2007 act requires that drains at the bottom of pools be such that they will not trap a person by attaching to the body, hair or fingers, according to Frostburg Parks and Recreation Director Brian Vought. The act came about after Virginia Graham Baker, 7, McLean, Va., drowned while trapped by a pool drain in 2002. The victim was the granddaughter of former Secretary of State James A. Baker III.

Certification of the Frostburg pool was performed by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Vought reported as well recently that a new concession building is under construction near the athletic fields at Glendening Recreation Complex. “It is expected to be complete by mid-July,” Vought said. The project is funded with $57,000 from the Maryland Community Parks and Playgrounds Program.

Also at the Glendening Recreation Complex, a new central rest room and a storage building is planned near the children’s playground. The facility is being designed and construction should begin soon with completion in August, thus eliminating the use of portable toilets.

The project is funded by $45,000 from the Community Parks and Playgrounds Program and $20,000 from Program Open Space.

Vought said the annual Summer Day Camp for ages 5 through 12 will begin June 15. Camp Director Robert Ketterman and staff will conduct the camp at Beall Elementary School. To inquire, call (301) 689-6000. Preregistration is required. Applications are available at Frostburg City Hall.