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Steamboat Springs — The thermometer across the street at Wells Fargo Bank read 25 degrees Fahrenheit on Monday afternoon, but that didn't deter eager locals from plunging into the pools and water slides at Old Town Hot Springs.

Monday marked the grand re-opening of the outdoor pools and slides at Old Town Hot Springs. The pools had been closed for almost 10 months during the renovations.

"We waited all summer for it," said Kelly Limberg, 12, chiming her enthusiasm for the renovations in unison with two friends as she waited in line in a heated tower for a ride down one of the 230-foot water slides.

The consensus among Kelly and fellow swimmers Carly Hanley and Heather Seams, both 11, was that the slides are longer, faster and more fun than their predecessors.

"These kids have been waiting for this for months," Old Town Hot Springs spokeswoman Riley Polumbus said.

The event marked a near-end to $5 million in capital improvements to the health center's aquatic facilities, including the two slides, a new 3,000-square-foot heated pool, an aquatic climbing wall, a freshly plastered Heart Spring pool, a 240-square-foot spa, and a refurbished lobby and indoor exercise area.

The improvements originally were scheduled to be complete by Christmas, and then by New Year's Day. The discovery of a never-before-used hot spring near the Heart Spring was one of several construction setbacks.

There's still some work to be done, including putting railings on two bridges going over the pools, installing some overhead lights, and finishing one more spa. A sun deck and landscaping work will get under way in the spring and should be ready in time for summer, said Old Town Hot Springs Executive Director Pat Carney.

Old Town Hot Springs began work on the improvements in April 2007, getting rid of a large hot pool, a water slide built in 1981 and an indoor cardiovascular exercise wing.

Carney said turnout for the event was strong.

"There are probably more people here than I thought, for as cold a night as it is," Carney said.

- To reach Margaret Hair, call 871-4204

or e-mail mhair@steamboatpilot.com