The new Piedmont Aquatic Center is nearing completion.

City Councilman Billy Baker gave an update during a recent meeting.

He says all that is missing is a diving board and a slide.

He then said he would like to see the pool opened for the remainder of August, sans the slide and diving board.

Maybe even keep it open until 8 or 9 o’clock at night so kids can swim after school.

Baker likes the idea of going ahead and using the pool as much as possible before September, when it will be closed until spring/summer of next year.

Baker also expressed a desire to let people use the pool for free this month.

The council took no official action on the matter.

The 1.8-million dollar center is in the Piedmont Sports Complex off the Old Gadsden Highway and will feature an Olympic-style pool, water slides and a kid’s area.

There will also be a snack bar, dressing rooms and office space.

The project is being paid for though a municipal bond refinancing done in the summer of 2011.

Construction started on July 31st of 2012.