Difficult choices
By Brandy Nance (Contact)
Originally published 09:31 a.m., April 26, 2008
Updated 09:31 a.m., April 26, 2008
Photo by Brandy Nance
Nick Gadino (left), of the city of Americus, and Jena Johnson, of the Save the (Americus) Pool Committee, talk about the condition of the pool’s filtration system.
After this summer, hanging out at the Americus swimming pool may not be an option for kids enjoying their break from school.
The Americus Pool will open this year on May 24, but it likely will be its last year due to structural and mechanical failures. The laundry list of things wrong with the Americus pool is a long one, ranging from liner failure to filtration system failures.
Lacie Hamlin of the Americus Save the Pool Committee, said the pool, which was built in the early 1980s, has a long list of problems. BG Consultants did a comprehensive study of the pool and determined it safe to open for this season, which likely will be the last. The cost to repair the pool would be more than half the cost to build a new pool and it would be only temporary fixes, Hamlin said.
Photo by Brandy Nance
The Americus Pool’s circulation system isn’t functioning properly and doesn’t turn over enough. It also needs to be larger to handle the amount of water that needs to be filtered.
“The cost to repair what needs to be repaired, the lining, the equipment ... the cost is going to be such that it doesn’t even make sense to repair it,” Hamlin said. “At this point we really need to look at building a new pool or not having one.”
Jena Johnson, also of the Save the Pool Committee, walked around the pool early this week along with Nick Gadino of the city of Americus, and pointed out the failures of the pool. As they walked along the bottom, the liner gave way and echoed with each footstep.
“The liner is failing,” Johnson said as she walked. “There are some places where it’s bubbled up so much that they had to drill holes in the liner to equalize the water ... that was weird walking in there with that hollow sound.”
Photo by Brandy Nance
Nick Gadino and Jena Johnson walk around the Americus Pool after explaining the problems that likely will shut the pool down for good after this season. Among the laundry list of things wrong with the pool, the liner is bubbling up and is failing.
The west wall of the pool also is failing and one of the two diving boards will be removed this summer. It’s not cost effective to replace or repair it, especially because the pool likely won’t open again after this season.
The pool’s circulation system isn’t functioning properly and doesn’t turn over enough.
“That is what turns the water over and keeps it fresh,” Hamlin said.
The small circular “kiddie” pool also has problems, Johnson said. The pool was plumbed behind the chlorinator, which means any chlorine that goes into the pool is residual chlorine.
The larger pool’s concrete deck has large cracks in it. Johnson said they would probably paint a “caution” on the concrete to help minimize accidents.
Photo by Brandy Nance
This diving board at the Americus Pool is one of the many things that are defective with the pool. The diving board isn’t up to current standards and needs to be replaced. The board will be removed in lieu of being replaced because the pool likely won’t open again after this season.
“It’s a hazard to the kids walking around,” Hamlin said.
Despite the failures, the pool will be open for one last season.
“The kids are so excited it’s going to be open this year,” Johnson said.
It is unclear at this point what will be done after this season. A new pool likely will cost more than $1 million. Hamlin said the Save the Pool Committee is looking into grants and plans to hold fundraisers. So far this month, the group has sold concessions at recreation-league soccer games and organized a spaghetti dinner.
“We’re looking at having no pool for at least a year,” Johnson said.
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