Buffalo Grove Park District Receives Aquatics Award

5-Star award "represents a tremendous commitment to safety and training."

The Starfish Aquatics Institute (SAI) awarded the Buffalo Grove Park District’s Aquadome Pool, Spray ‘N Play and Willow Stream Pool the prestigious 5-Star Award following a risk management audit. Past Aquatics Coordinator Tim Beckmann, Facilities Coordinator Rick Missing, Facilities Technician Clint Poynor, Director of Recreation and Facilities Ryan Risinger, and Facilities Foreman Randy Smith accepted the award on behalf of the park district. “Very few aquatic facilities qualify to receive this honor,” stated Leslie Donavan, president of SAI. “It represents a tremendous commitment to safety and training, and exceptional performance by the lifeguard staff on duty at the time.” The Buffalo Grove Park District staff has 80 total staff …

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Things To Do When It's Hot

Here are some places to go throughout the north Chicago suburbs to escape the heat. Check them out and add your own!

It's hot. We know. That's an understatement. Buffalo Grove Patch wants to help you beat the heat in these record-breaking temperatures. We've put together a map of places to go and things to do in Buffalo Grove and other nearby towns during this heat wave. You can also help Patch readers (and your friends and neighbors!) by clicking "Edit" on the map and dropping a pin on the map to tell us your favorite things to do when it's 105 degrees. Or, just sit back and enjoy the map we've put together for you. It's too hot to work.

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Life As I Know It

Making A Big Splash

In other words, what to do when the screaming kid in the pool is yours.

Gracie’s screams were short and piercing, each one louder than the last. It was swim class — her second one in the session — and her one-on-one class with a teacher was clearly not going well at all as she struggled and kicked. I stood on the other side of the pool in the baby swim class, holding on to Liam and alternately pretending I didn’t hear her scream and willing her to just get in the pool, already. I was embarrassed that it was my kid screaming and crying, and I couldn’t very well hop out of the water and get her to stop screaming. While Gracie screamed, I felt the stares from the parents sitting in the bleachers, and I saw how the other swim teachers gave each other looks, with some going so far as to stifle a laugh. Previously, …

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The Heat Is On

Buffalo Grove-area organizations see the effects of 90-degree temperatures.

With temperatures projected to remain above 90 degrees this week, Buffalo Grove businesses and organizations are seeing firsthand the effects of the heat wave. “We’re selling a lot more fans and Gatorade, and a lot more ice, too,” Paul Lievhart, manager of the Walgreens at the corner of Buffalo Grove and Lake-Cook roads, said Monday. “Everything that you can drink in aisle eight, such as juice and water, is just going out the door.” Lievhart noted that customers are also purchasing items in bulk, such as 24-packs of bottled water. Binny’s Beverage Depot has also seen a shift in product sales. A customer service manager noted that margaritas, water and mixers are big sellers. Beverages aren't the only consumables in demand. “We’re selling …

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Pool Makes A Big Splash

Renovated Willow Stream Pool is a hit with Buffalo Grove swimmers.

Sheila Baird basically hit the nail on the head as she sat on the edge of the kids wading area at the newly renovated Willow Stream Pool, which celebrated its return from a one-and-½-year absence Saturday with a pool party. “We love it. We missed it,” she said, watching her daughter, Kate, cavort under a waterfall nearby. “We’re glad to be back.” Baird’s comments were echoed by many who lounged on white lounge chairs and sat beneath new blue umbrellas while listening to rock music provided by Foolish. As proud public officials spoke of a new deck, pool liner, high tech pumps and filters, a new guard house and ramp for people with special needs, swimmers young and old bathed in the hot sun and cool waters and whipped down the new twisty, …

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Willow Stream Pool Joins World's Largest Swim Lesson

Event to teach children to swim while attempting to break a record.

Aquatic facilities across the globe, including one in Buffalo Grove, are teaming up to teach children to swim while also attempting to break a Guiness World Record. The World's Largest Swimming Lesson will take place Tuesday, June 14, "to build awareness about the vital importance of teaching children to swim to help prevent drowning," according to the WLSL website. Waterparks, pools and other aquatic facilities around the globe will host local WLSL lessons simultaneously at 10 a.m. in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record. Willow Stream Pool will participate in the event. To find out more details or to participate, contact Rick Missing at 847-850-2107 or rmissing@bgparks.org "Swimming is a life-saving skill for children and a …

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Willow Stream Pool Opens

The park district's outdoor pool opened Wednesday after being closed for renovations since fall 2009.

The Buffalo Grove Park District's Willow Stream Pool opened for the season at 3:30 p.m. today (Wednesday). Its regular summer schedule is now in effect. Click here to find the pool's operating hours, which include designated times for lap swim, open swim and the wading pool. The pool, which has been closed for renovations since fall 2009, was originally expected to open last weekend, but mechanical problems delayed the schedule. A grand reopening celebration is planned from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 18.

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Willow Stream Pool Opening Delayed

The pool, which was scheduled to reopen Saturday, will remain closed for up to a week due to mechanical problems.

The reopening of Willow Stream Pool has been delayed due to a mechanical problem, the Buffalo Grove Park District announced Thursday. Originally slated to open for the season on Saturday, it will be as long as a week before the pool is ready for use. The reopening was pushed back because the pool’s starters, which run the heat and filtration system, are unable to handle the voltage level from the electrical system, said Ryan Risinger, director of recreation and facilities. The starters will be replaced with equipment that can accommodate higher voltage, he said. “It’s frustrating for everybody. It’s frustrating for the residents, and we feel terrible about that,” he said. The problem was detected a few days ago, Risinger said, and after …

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Willow Stream Pool Grand Reopening

The community is invited to the June 18 celebration.

The entire community is invited to attend the celebration of the grand opening of the newly renovated Willow Stream Pool from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m June 18. Originally built in 1972, Willow Stream Pool was in need of a major renovation. Residents of Buffalo Grove will soon be able to enjoy this facility again, and although technically it is still the same pool, in many ways it is a completely new facility. The most noticeable improvements include a new waterslide, a ramp entrance that makes the pool now accessible for people with special needs, and a completely renovated bathhouse. The facility also has a new deck, new pool liner and a new filtration system. In addition to a dedication ceremony, the event will also include free …

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Willow Stream Pool to Reopen June 4

Residents can expect a full season at the Buffalo Grove Park District pool, which was closed all last summer.

Construction is underway at Willow Stream Pool, which is expected to open for the season on June 4. On Monday, the pool still had the appearance of a construction zone, with concrete being poured and the blue liner partially installed. However, the new water slide is in place and the project is progressing on schedule, according to Buffalo Grove Park District spokesman Mike Terson. “Everything’s going well,” Terson said. “The weather is trying to set us back, but we’ve stayed on schedule.” Willow Stream Pool closed in the fall of 2009 for federally mandated safety improvements. The pool was expected to reopen last summer, but delays in state construction permits kept the facility shuttered all season. The work did not begin until fall. The…

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