From The Daily Graphic Jan 13 2011

 

The pool has been shut down and won’t reopen for a good two weeks. The Portage Regional Recreation Authority announced Thursday the pool would be temporarily closed due to “operational malfunctions.”

Translation: It’s sprung another leak.

“It looks like there is a significant drop in water,” said Jennifer Sarna, executive director with PRRA, adding it appears this leak has nothing to do with the first leak, reported last week.

Sarna said they are working on the problem to quickly get it resolved.

The Shindleman Aquatic Centre closed at noon Thursday and will continue to be shut down while repairs are being done.

The pool manufacturer from Ontario, Hollandia, has been called in to immediately examine the situation.

“We really don’t know if it is a pipe leak or a liner leak,” Sarna said. “It is too early to tell right now.”

On Thursday Sarna said staff were busy trying to manage the loss of water, making sure it is contained and controlled, so it did not do any damage to the mechanical and electrical areas of the pool.

It is not known how long it will take to repair the leak, said Sarna, until after the problem area has been identified.

Dave Green, facility operations manager, said the representatives from the pool manufacturer are flying to Portage Saturday to make the repairs.

He said water levels in the pool had gone down by about two- thirds as of about 4:30 p.m. Thursday and the pool was fully emptied by 4 a.m. Friday.

The lifeguards first noticed the water levels in the pool dropping at about 11:15 a.m. Thursday.

Green said it appears the leak is in the deep-end part of the pool. “It’s a major problem now, it’s not a minor (one)” said Green. “We don’t know if it’s related to the initial leak we had.”

The water that was leaking was diverted into the city’s sewer system. “Everything is OK right now, we have a line in to the sewer ” said Green.

Green confirmed the second leak in the pool Friday.

He said after the problem with the pool is determined and repaired, the pool will then need to be refilled and the water balanced and reheated again, which is expected to take about a week.

“It takes a while to get it back in service again,” said Green.

The pool is still under warranty, added Green, referring to any estimated costs for repairs.

“It is going to be nice to have it fixed, but it is always a worry as to what caused this,” Green said.

Sarna says every attempt will be made to reschedule activities.

“It will depend on the situation. So we will work with them as best as we can to accommodate the reschedule, or if there is something that would qualify for a refund,” she said.