dbryce@journalnet.com

LAVA HOT SPRINGS - While people are cutting back on travel and recreation due to the current economic uncertainty, Lava Hot Springs reported an increase in attendance during the first month of 2009.

Mark Lowe, executive director at the Lava Hot Springs State Foundation, said ticket sales to the hot pools were up 30 percent in January. Lowe said Lava Hot Springs is an affordable, fun destination.

"Regardless of the economy, people still want to get out and have a good time," he said. "Lava is an affordable way to do that."

Operational costs at the Lava Hot Springs are covered by ticket sales so recent state holdbacks have not affected the state agency. In fact, expansions and upgrades are planned at both the Olympic Swimming Complex and the hot pools.

The final parts for the new 60-foot waterslide were delivered to the swimming complex last week. The slide will cross the road into Lava between Highway 30 and the Portneuf River. A staircase and walkway will run parallel to the slide to keep swimmers off the road.

The project was funded through a capital lease agreement.

"We expect to be up and running by May 15," Lowe said.

Lowe said the addition of a fifth pool is also planned at the hot baths. Water temperature in the new pool will be cooler than the four existing hot pools, he said. The addition of an indoor pool last year converted the Olympic Swimming Complex into a year-round attraction.

Also the Aquaclimb, a climbing wall, was added to the swimming pool this year and seemed to be big hit with students from North Gem Middle School Thursday.

Teacher Diane Christensen said the students held their Valentine's Day party at the pool.

Visitors to Lava Hot Springs should expect some construction delays after the Department of Transportation announced that work on Highway 30 between 12th Street in McCammon and Topaz Road will continue this construction season.

Tim Swenson, resident engineer for the IDT, said three projects are set this year.

The first involves replacing two 10-foot culverts and rebuilding the steel bridge.Construction will continue to widen the highway between McCammon to Crystal Springs Road and onto Topaz Road outside Lava Hot Springs. The low bid for the last leg of construction came in at $21 million, Swenson said, and bidding for the rest of the project starts next week.

The project is funded through a GARVEE bond, which allow the state to borrow using expected future federal dollars.