SHAMOKIN - A 1,500-pound recirculating pump for the filtration system at the Lawton W. Shroyer Memorial Swimming Pool has been rebuilt, allowing the city to finally open the pool for the summer season.
Councilman R. Craig Rhoades, director of parks and public buildings, said Thursday afternoon that the North Rock Street facility will open Sunday, weather permitting, and remain open through Aug. 28.
"We're 95 percent certain the pool will open at noon Sunday," Rhoades said. "Barring any unforeseen circumstances or bad weather, we will be ready to go for the remainder of the summer season."
"We did everything humanly possible to make this happen," said Larry Strausser, aquatic facility operator. "Unfortunately, we kept running into roadblock after roadblock, but we're finally ready to open Sunday."
$9,000 repair bill
Strausser said the bearings and sealer on the pump were found to be worn out when the pump was activated in early June. Due to the required repairs or replacement, opening of the pool, which was initially scheduled for June 11, had to be delayed.
Rhoades said the cost to rebuild the pump exceeded $9,000, which will be covered with money from a two-mill recreation tax imposed by the city last year that generates approximately $60,000 ($30,000 per mill).
Strausser, who also serves as the city's public safety technician, and street department employees removed the pump in early June and took it to RAM Industrial Services Inc., Winfield. Strausser said the city was informed that it could be repaired, but that it would take three or four weeks to obtain parts. Through the recent persistent efforts of city clerk Steve Bartos, the city was able to secure parts within five days and had the pump rebuilt by RAM, Rhoades said.
Almost a no-go
City employees used a payloader to lift the pump onto a truck at the Winfield business and delivered and installed the equipment at the pool Wednesday morning.
Rhoades acknowledged that the city was going to "write off the season" and not open the pool.
"We figured if we couldn't open by July 4, it wasn't worth opening at all for the summer. But thanks to the tireless efforts of Mr. Bartos and the hard work of Larry Strausser and other city employees, we were able to get the pump rebuilt and open the pool."
Strausser said the pump couldn't be tested until the pool was filled with water several days before the original opening date. The pool is drained yearly for maintenance work on its shell.
He said 1,100 gallons of water per minute flows through the pump, which is 15 years old. He said it takes two days to fill the pool, which holds 400,000 gallons of water, and another day to vacuum it and balance the chemicals. Strausser said water is tested every year at Wilson Testing Laboratories in Shamokin before the pool can be opened.
He said it would have taken 10 to 12 weeks to deliver a new pump, which is built to order and would have cost $15,000 to $20,000.
Strausser has previously said it costs the city $50,000 to $60,000 per year to staff, operate and maintain the pool. Rhoades previously described the pool as a "necessary evil," one that loses money but is important to local citizens.
Strausser said the pool employs approximately 30 people, including lifeguards and support staff. He said the city is required by state law to have a certain number of lifeguards on duty regardless of the number of people using the pool.