In a 1997 Park Bond Election, Arlington voters authorized funding for the design and construction of the new pool. Construction started in 2005. Grand opening was May 26, 2006.
The new Bad Königshofen Family Aquatic Center incorporates many unique features designed to resemble the agrarian style of the small region of Germany. The European theme is evident in the clock tower, large wooden columns and overall design. The center has an interactive spray pad, shallow water play pool, 25 meter four-lane swimming pool, a one-meter diving board, two water slides, pavilions, restrooms and showers. The center offers swim lessons and can be reserved for birthday parties and rentals for special occasions.
How the Friendship Began
Arlington's relationship with Bad Königshofen began in the summer of 1951, when the German town manager (Kurt Zuhlke) visited Arlington at the end of a study tour of the United States. Local historians say the town manager made an unscheduled stop in the city because a German tour participant had a pen pal in Arlington. Through this pen pal relationship, the town manager had an opportunity to meet and visit with then Arlington Mayor Tom Vandergriff.
During their meeting, the visiting town manager told Vandergriff about the difficulties his town was facing because of its location at the border between west and east Germany. He said hundreds of people from the communist east had overwhelmed his small German town, and there was a shortage of food and clothing.
Moved by the plight of the town, Mayor Vandergriff and the Arlington Chamber of Commerce coordinated a community drive to collect food, clothing and gifts. In 1952, the first of four railroad boxcar shipments left Arlington for Bad Königshofen.
Expressions of thanks from German residents showed that the assistance from Arlington was more than food and clothing, but a true sign of friendship, which residents have continued to recognize and celebrate.
Bad Königshofen has a recreational park named for Arlington. A 12-foot stainless steel International Peace and Friendship Monument stands in a downtown Arlington park across from City Hall. The monument was completed during the summer of 2003 by Arlington sculptors and visiting artists from Germany.
"The Bad Königshofen Family Aquatic Center is our most recent tribute to a relationship that has evolved into a friendship that will continue forever," said Mayor Robert Cluck.