Memorial Pool to Remain Closed
By: Kevin Flanigan
Updated: March 19, 2010
It's going to be a hot, dry summer for kids in one Altoona neighborhood.
Memorial Pool in the Juniata section of the City will remain closed this year.
The board members of the Central Blair Recreation and Park Commission decided Thursday night that Memorial Pool in Altoona will definitely remain closed at least for the coming season and perhaps will never reopen.
For decades, Memorial Pool has been been a popular neighborhood attraction. But not this coming summer. The people in charge of the facility say the condition of a steel wall between the pool and its water filtering equipment has deteriorated to the point where a real safety hazard has developed. That will keep swimmers out of this pool at least for the coming year.
News that this community pool will not open this summer really bothers some of the people who have used the facility for years. They say this pool is important to the neighborhood and beyond. But Rec Commission board members members say because of their safety concerns, they had no choice but to keep this pool closed. Now they will be hiring a consultant to determine what can replace the aging pool that will never reopen without a significant and expensive upgrade.
The recreation board hopes to have their consultant's report back in about a month and a half. Part of the research and planning will focus on finding the financial resources needed for any replacement pool or water park project.
Memorial Pool in the Juniata section of the City will remain closed this year.
The board members of the Central Blair Recreation and Park Commission decided Thursday night that Memorial Pool in Altoona will definitely remain closed at least for the coming season and perhaps will never reopen.
For decades, Memorial Pool has been been a popular neighborhood attraction. But not this coming summer. The people in charge of the facility say the condition of a steel wall between the pool and its water filtering equipment has deteriorated to the point where a real safety hazard has developed. That will keep swimmers out of this pool at least for the coming year.
News that this community pool will not open this summer really bothers some of the people who have used the facility for years. They say this pool is important to the neighborhood and beyond. But Rec Commission board members members say because of their safety concerns, they had no choice but to keep this pool closed. Now they will be hiring a consultant to determine what can replace the aging pool that will never reopen without a significant and expensive upgrade.
The recreation board hopes to have their consultant's report back in about a month and a half. Part of the research and planning will focus on finding the financial resources needed for any replacement pool or water park project.
