The Student Recreation Center Pool is preparing to reopen its waters to swimmers after a lengthy closure for renovations. The pool has been closed since July 22 as a team of technicians has worked to install new filters, pumps, breakers, floors and a new chlorination system.
“This has been due for a long time,” said Jared Lindorfer, manager of aquatics for University Recreation. “A lot of the parts [being replaced] were original.”
Some parts being replaced included the sand filters, iron filters, pumps and acid feeders. Sand filters are important to keep the water clean, while iron filters protect the pool against unwanted chemicals and minerals that may be in the water.
A new floor was also installed by Miracle Method, an Idaho-based company specializing in pool flooring. The new floor is much grippier and should help prevent slipping injuries. The floor has also been redone in both locker rooms and the hot tub.
While the goal was to reopen the pool on August 19, it was first necessary to complete a Department of Health inspection and an electrical inspection. The pool passed the health inspection but failed the electrical inspection due to failing breakers in the mechanical room. It was those breakers that caused the delay.
“We knew if we were going to do this project, we had to do it right,” said Lindorfer. “We feel bad we’ve put people in this spot, but safety is our number one goal.”
New parts had to be ordered and installed, and that process extended into the school year, something Lindorfer and the rest of the aquatics staff could not have predicted.
The pool is now in the final stages before reopening. The water is being heated, and the chemicals are being balanced. The final test will be another electrical inspection, which will need to be passed before the pool can reopen for public use.
“We are hoping to complete that test on Friday,” said Lindorfer. “If it passes, we’ll be looking at a potential weekend opening, or early next week.”
“It sucks that the pool is closed, but I’m just excited for it to reopen,” said Avery Clark, WSU sophomore and frequent pool user.
When the pool does reopen, students might not notice much besides the floor. But Lindorfer hopes the renovations will allow the pool to stay open throughout the year. Last spring, mechanical issues caused the pool and hot tub to shut down multiple times. This year, Lindorfer hopes that won’t happen.
For now, WSU students and staff have access to Gibb Pool, which offers at least four hours a day to lap swimmers. They also have access to the Pullman Aquatic Center for free, simply by bringing a Cougar Card. If all goes according to plan, that will change this weekend.
Lindorfer is ready for the pool to open again.
“It’s super exciting [to reopen], it will get my life back on track…and it will be nice seeing people up here again,” said Lindorfer.
