The Hinsdale Community Pool needs extensive repairs, experts say, at a cost of more than $1.4 million. Village officials say they have a multi-year plan to get it fixed.
Parks and recreation commissioners heard a report at their Sept. 10 meeting on the issues raised by a pool audit conducted by Williams Architects in April.
“The lap pool is experiencing significant deterioration problems that need to be addressed in order to provide a safe environment for patrons and to eliminate further deterioration,” the audit reads, specifically citing deteriorating grout below the gutter that encircles the pool. “Additionally there is significant deck settlement that has created toe stubbing/tripping hazards and has affected deck drainage.”
A third area of concern is the “rusting pressure sand filters reaching the end of their useful life” after 27 years. In reviewing the report for commissioners, George Peluso, public services director, underscored the importance of the filtration system.
“(It) is kind of the backbone of the whole pool,” Peluso said. “That’s how we keep the water clean. That’s how we keep the water balanced. That’s how we keep people safe in the water when they’re swimming.”
With only $89,000 previously budgeted for the pool improvements over the next four years, commissioners were presented with a tentative plan for upgrades totaling more than $1.5 million to complete all the work over the next four years, starting with grout replacement in the fall of 2020.
“I’m assuming that we figure out a way to fund this. That has not been finalized,” Peluso said of the preliminary budgeting.
Commissioner Darren Baker asked engineer Rich Clark of WT Engineering, who inspected the pool for the audit, what kind of extended life the work would give the pool, which was extensively renovated in 1993.
“We feel safe to make these recommendations so you can get another 15, 20 years out of this facility,” Clark said, noting the pool shells are still in relatively good shape. “It’s very difficult to foresee the future and what’s going to happen.”
Talk even turned briefly to the notion of building a new facility, estimated at $8 million to $9 million.
After lengthy discussion, Peluso expressed support for an expedited repair timeline in which the grout work would be done this winter and spring in time to open for the 2020 season.
Deck work would be eyed for the following fall, with the filter replacement potentially in 2021.
Commissioners also brought up the idea of adding new amenities like cabanas or a splash pad.
“Can we plan to put something in there that is going to be a nice ‘Wow!’ factor?” Waverley asked.
Heather Bereckis, superintendent of parks and recreation, said such improvements could be included.
Brad Bloom, assistant village manager, said the commission will be presented with a revised schedule for repairs. The Hinsdale Village Board would need to approve the expenses as part of its capital plan.
