Brandy Branstetter for Burns Times-Herald

Big things are happening down at the Hi-Desert Swimming Pool! High Desert Park and Recreation is happy to share some big and wonderful things happening down at Anderson Park. We have been busy cleaning up the old signage and putting in our new, fully donated, LED metal sign.  

Sean Wensenk with Alan’s Repair was approached with a big ask from Park and Rec, in a donation of a new sign. He was more than happy to help design, build and donate, this beautiful new sign. He was not alone though, T&T Collision & Glass helped with the painting of the sign, the City of Hines made a gracious donation to buy the new LED signs and Paul Zipser with Burns Electric, helped to get the sign powered up! Of course last, but certainly not least, Charlie Branstetter and Grayden Martinak, who helped with the installation of the new sign. We are so very thankful to this community and all of the businesses’ hard work.  

High Desert Park and Recreation would also like to share that we are one of the recipients of the Oregon State Parks Local Government Grant Program. This grant in total is for $465,000, for Phase 2 of the Hi-Desert Swimming Pool rehabilitation/replacement program. The grant is for the complete rehabilitation of the bath/shower house and will include a new office building. 

What does this mean you ask? Well, we are going to keep the cinder block building itself, but the entire inside of the bath/shower house portion of the building will be completely gutted, with all new ceilings, cabinetry, fixtures, stalls and lighting. There will be necessary upgrades to all the plumbing, electricity, attic insulation, new on demand hot water units, heating system, and insulation plus hardie board exterior. A new vestibule entrance will welcome visitors to the building. The metal roof is still in great shape and will remain. A new office will be built on the western side of the building. 

On the outside of this new build, there will be an outdoor ADA restroom and shower, this will only be open during the pool season. The new office will be very instrumental to the proper running of Anderson Park and the Hi-Desert Swimming Pool. The office will be in a centralized location, and will have sliding glass doors that opens directly out onto the pool deck, making it accessible for the District Manager in case of an emergency. 

We are very close to starting construction! Watch out for updated videos through the construction on our High Desert Park and Recreation Facebook page and on our Highdesertparkandrec.com website. We are very excited to share this wonderful adventure with you. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out. 

I personally want to make a huge shout out to my Park and Recreation Board: Becki Graham, Rachel Beaubien, Amie Scott, Tammy Wheeler, and Kelly Novak, Thank You ladies for all of your support and volunteerism to Park and Recreation!