UPDATE (5/19): Repairs are looking good but will not be completed by the originally scheduled opening day of May 23. The Town is cautiously optimistic that the pool will be open by May 30.
UPDATE (5/13): There has been significant progress on the Carter Park Pool in the last week or so. Since our last update:
• The bond beam (header) has been repaired and is ready for new coping.
• Between .5 and 1 inch of the concrete pad was removed around the entire perimeter of the pool to accommodate the new coping.
• One (1) skimmer was totally removed and the broken line serving that skimmer was disabled.
• All skimmer line breaks were repaired.
• A pressure test was completed and successful.
• Coping stones have been laid out and angles cut.
Installation of the new coping stones will begin today (Wednesday, May 13). Although we are cautiously optimistic about how things have gone so far, several unknowns remain. Once the contractor replaces the coping, we will have a better idea of where we stand with other issues including our pump and filtration systems.
Thank you for your continued interest, support and patience as we work to make these repairs.
ORIGINAL STORY:
An unusually cold winter with prolonged periods of freezing temperatures has caused structural damage and safety concerns at the Carter Park Pool. The Town is working with a contractor to complete repairs and open the pool on schedule if possible. The scope of the repairs may delay the opening of the pool beyond Memorial Day. In the meantime, the Town has extended the normal "early bird" season pass discounts through Friday, May 15.
Each spring, town staff and contractors inspect the pool and make necessary repairs. Some minor repairs are usually needed to fix missing tiles, plaster damage or plumbing issues caused by routine use and winter weather. This year, harsher-than-usual winter conditions delivered significant damage to the pool and its aging infrastructure. Initial concerns are related to the coping masonry around the edges of the pool, tiles immediately below the coping and the pool skimmers.
At the direction of the town council, staff has begun working with a contractor to complete repairs. Because of the severity of the issues, the full scope of repairs is not immediately known but will become obvious as contractors begin their work.
The pool is scheduled to open for the season on May 23, 2015. The extent of known repairs may delay that opening date until after Memorial Day, but staff is making every effort to open the pool as soon as it is safe to do so.
Updates on the progress of the pool repairs will be made available periodically through the town's "Notify Me" system (see the link on the right side of this page). Town staff will be in frequent contact with the Ashland Barracudas swim team and have notified pool pass holders for the upcoming season. Questions or concerns should be directed to Dennis Rabon, Parks and Recreation Coordinator, at (804) 798-1073 or drabon@town.ashland.va.us.
The town council continues to review options for future restoration, rehabilitation or replacement of the Carter Park Pool. Options currently under consideration are available on page 5 of the minutes from the April 21, 2015, council meeting (see the link below). Discussion of future options is expected to continue at the May 5 meeting of the town council.