On Tuesday, Sept. 5, the Iowa City council voted unanimously to replace the old City Park pool with an estimated cost of $10.5 million. The city hired consultants Williams Architects & Aquatics and Counsilman Hunsaker to do an assessment of the pool in order to determine the cost effectiveness of repairs vs. replacement. During the […]
On Tuesday, Sept. 5, the Iowa City council voted unanimously to replace the old City Park pool with an estimated cost of $10.5 million.The city hired consultants Williams Architects & Aquatics and Counsilman Hunsaker to do an assessment of the pool in order to determine the cost effectiveness of repairs vs. replacement. During the examinations, they discovered the pool was leaking approximately 55,000 gallons of water a day, despite crack sealing and basin painting.
Serious issues
Aside from the leaking, the consultants found a myriad of serious problems, including:
Total replacement needed of pool filtration, sanitation and piping systems
Leaking found at wall joints between pool wall and gutter
Leaking found at floor joints and at previous repairs in deep end
Concrete surface disintegrating
Random cracks
Joints pulling apart
Walls bowing
Walls pulling away from gutter
Patrons getting abrasions from fiberglass grates
Pool deck cracking and spalling, a risk to bare feet
Improper ventilation in chemical storage room and inadequate space
Not completely ADA compliant
Williams Architects and Aquatics project lead Andrew Caputo addresses the Iowa City council on Tuesday, Sep. 5. CREDIT ANNIE BARKALOW“We found that because of the condition of the pool, a repair project would look very much like a replacement project in being very, very costly in order to try to mitigate these issues,” said Andrew Caputo, consultant project lead. “We just believe, and we would recommend, that any money spent – especially that much money – be spent on new infrastructure that's going to give you some longevity.”The pool, located at 200 Park Rd., was built in 1948 and renovated in 1987, with a splash pool and extra equipment added in 2014. The lap pool is 75 years old, and the consultants noted that repair products do not have a life expectancy past 40 years.
Financing the project
“These are one of these projects where you don't want to skimp on something that's just going to cause a headache another five, 10, 15 years down the road,” said City Manager Geoff Fruin.To finance the project, the city will use the facilities replacement fund. A bond is possible for a small amount estimating $700,000, but it would need referendum and voter approval. The consultants’ proposed budget includes new accessibility for passenger loading zones and accessible parking and routes. It does not include new water, storm or sanitation sewer services and stormwater detention. “I’m super excited that we get to move forward,” said Julie Slydell-Johnson, parks and recreation director. “I just want to make sure that we have a pool that will serve our community well into the future. I think the decision last night to replace the pool will do that.”The public input process is slated for mid-to-late October. Construction is estimated to begin August 2024 and run through spring 2026.
