Plans for giant Asheville slip-and-slide face hurdle

ASHEVILLE – In November, the Citizen-Times first reported that plans were coming together for a giant slip-and-slide to line the streets of downtown Asheville. It's looking like some state regulations might put a damper on that plan, but organizers of the event, Slide the City, say they're working hard to make it happen.

The Utah-based company, Slide the City, is looking to set up a 1,000-foot slip-and-slide in May, and had focused on Coxe Avenue as the center of slippery activity.

But when Slide the City submitted plans to the state, organizer Brad Behle found out he might not be able to come to North Carolina, unless he makes modifications to his landing pool.

"The Slide the City slide includes a landing pool that cannot meet the requirements of the North Carolina Rules Governing Public Swimming Pools (15A NCAC 18A .2500)," James A. Hayes of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services explained via email.

"We are doing everything we can to be in compliance for what they're asking," Behle said Thursday from Utah. "It's super important for us to be in compliance with any code or ordinance, and we've met all of these for every other city."

Hayes said Slide the City organizers have the option of operating the slide without the landing pool, and using a re-circulation tank to clean the water to return to the slide.

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"But (they) have not submitted any plans for doing that," he said. "This department is in communication with the organizers to try to get a plan in place that will meet the minimum health and safety requirements for the slide to operate."

As it is currently designed, Slide the City would be regulated as a pool. State regulations require "pools" to provide permanent features such as decks and bathhouses.

"Safety and being in compliance is very important to us," said Behle, who added the company is working toward a redesign to fit North Carolina's specifications. "We're trying to figure out what that's going to be," he said. "It's different from any other state we've ever been in."

Asheville seems excited to have a giant slip and slide, and Behle said he's equally looking forward to coming to the city.

"Keep those fingers crossed," he said. "We're doing everything we can. North Carolina is such a cool place. Asheville, I just fell in love with it."

The event page for Asheville's event is still live at www.slidethecity.com/events/asheville.