Tyrone Borough Council heard from its engineer, Ray Myers of CET Engineering Services about additional upgrades to its community pool at Reservoir Park.
The borough had already completed the bathhouse and made other improvements at the pool prior to the latest season getting under way on Memorial Day Weekend. However, other major pool renovations were tabled until after the end of the season in September to allow the pool to have a full season of operations this year.
Myers explained in a memo to council that CET engaged the services of a Mt. Holly Springs firm, Aquatic Facility Design, to provide expert assistance in evaluating and recommending renovations to the community pool.
Myers explained the recommended improvements and gave a rough estimate of the likely costs of the pool renovations and repairs and heard council’s feedback last night.
He explained there were two methods of repair to the adult pool, which were evaluated. The pool’s bottom and sides are in need of repair.
In one scenario, sandblasting, patching, repainting would be required along with a restructuring of the main drains. Another scenario called for repairs to be made along with an installation of a vinyl liner and the restructuring of the main drains.
The vinyl liner was described as offering a leak proof envelope that can be repaired underwater. Myers’ report explained other organizations, which have done pool rehabilitation found the vinyl liner to be “a very good system.”
Myers noted the liner adds to the longevity of the pool and is easy to repair. He explained with the use of the vinyl liner, the pool would remain filled year round.
Myers also recommended work be done to the diving area to meet codes. One suggestion would be to bring the pool up to code and continue using diving boards or eliminate the boards and use a slide.
He said others who have faced a similar situation have gone to the slides in most cases. He said the slides are “a big hit with the kids.” Two options were given for slides and council was provided with photographs for their examination.
Other suggested work on the pool included the option to repair or coat the deck surrounding the adult pool and the installation of chemical feed and control equipment.
Council also received information on the replacement of the wadding pool for children. The recommended replacement included replacing a filter system, addition of a new dewdrop, a kiddy slide and the installation of a new decking and filter system at a total estimated cost of $135,000 to $155,000.
Myers recommended to council it should consider performing repairs and installing the vinyl liner at the adult pool at a cost of $165,000. He suggested the borough should eliminate the diving boards and add a large slide at the adult pool at a cost of $55,000.
He also recommended the borough should replace the wading pool. The cost of the chemical feed and control equipment was estimated at $11,000 for a total project cost of $386,000.
Council could also decided to include other options including an additional smaller slide at the adult pool and the replacing of the adult deck pool. If it does the project would cost an additional $105,000, which would bring the total repair and renovation to just under $500,000.
Myers said council should also budget about $15,000 for a pool covering system to keep the pool filled with water but covered during the off season.
No decisions were made at the council meeting however, Myers outlined a 13-week schedule leading up to the beginning of construction.
Prior to the schedule kicking in, council would need to authorize the preparing of plans and bidding documents. Myers explained in his memo to council, once authorization was received bids would be advertised four weeks after council’s authorization. Bids would be opened four weeks after advertising for them. The scheduled suggested council approval within a week after bid opening and construction to start four weeks after bids were approved.
Due to the Fourth of July holiday, council is next scheduled to meet on July 11. If it would approve going forward at that meeting, construction on the pool would not begin until sometime October at soonest. That time frame would allow construction to start several weeks after the end of the 2005 season and seven months before the 2006 season would get under way in late May.
