Aging Janesville pool loses water
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Janesville Public Works spent some time at the Palmer Park Wading Pool Monday afternoon after a report of a pipe leak.
JANESVILLE — The Janesville Palmer Park Wading pool is leaking “significant amounts” of water, and city staff is looking for the cause.
Workers on Monday were capping drains to see how much water loss occurred overnight, said Tom Malone, management analyst for the city. Staff also planned to thread a video camera through the pipes.
The main drain is leaking slightly, but that’s not the cause for the significant water loss, Malone said.
The pool opened for the season June 5.
The city will decide today whether to close the pool, Malone said.
“We know that it’s common to have some water loss, but obviously not near this amount,” Malone said. “The pool was only filled about a week ago, and the parks department noticed a major amount of water being lost.”
The pool is almost 75 years old, and a consultant has said the average life of such pools is about 35 years.
The pool was temporarily closed in 2008 because of mechanical issues. Last year, drains were replaced to comply with a new federal law. Some additional repairs were made this year, Malone said.
The city has struggled with the question of what to do with its aging aquatic facilities. Several past city councils have put off doing anything because of the cost.
The council did reopen the Riverside Wading Pool last year after it was closed to save money.
“The real issue is, you have an entire aquatic system that's all coming to its death at the same time,” a consultant said in 2007.
Former Manager Steve Sheiffer started putting money aside to upgrade the facilities, beginning with $250,000 in the 2006. A recent council stopped that practice.
About $400,000 of the set aside money was spent this year on maintenance at Rockport Pool, which is almost 30 years old.
The total subsidy in 2010 for aquatics is $264,757. That number is predicted to get larger as facilities fail. The subsidy at Palmer Wading Pool was $31,785 in 2007.
A resident aquatics committee several years ago suggested spending $9 million that would have included replacing the Palmer Park Wading Pool for a splash pad.
Some residents weren’t happy with the suggestion.
Sheiffer later suggested a project maximum of $5 million, but city council members balked.
The wading pool is grandfathered under current state codes. If it is improved or a new one built, codes would require restrooms and showers for a total cost of $2 million, according to the consultant’s report.
Jun 17, 2010 at 11:16 a.m.
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SarahB1...There is such a thing! As when I have been down to Florida before to visit....a family member had this stuff and whenever a child pee'd in the pool it turned BRIGHT blue and almost looked like a blue dye! Yes, such thing does exist!
Jun 16, 2010 at 6:42 a.m.
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I found the pee-magnet idea interesting but I can't find it in any Internet pool supply stores. Maybe it's available locally?
Jun 16, 2010 at 6:01 a.m.
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Suggestion after it is fixed - invest in a "pee-magnet" - found at most swimming pool supply shops. I know chlorine is cheaper, but think about the large number of kids that use that pool on a hot summer day. One slight problem with the pee magnet is that it will cause swim suits to turn bright orange if urine / etc is on the swim suit if the person (offender) is in the pool while it is being used. It sounds funny, but it is effective for use.
Jun 16, 2010 at 5:18 a.m.
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400,000 for rockport are u kidding me he}} i can keep it up for least if u want to pay me 400,000 heck i can make 1 helluva living what a joke
Jun 16, 2010 at 4:48 a.m.
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400,000 what a joke u can fix that for about 1,000 thank u Kris Hoffmann
Jun 15, 2010 at 11:51 p.m.
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I think they should repair it and not build something totally new. Take advantage of the grandfather provision and don't build showers and locker rooms.
Jun 15, 2010 at 11:30 p.m.
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why dont they charge money for those of you that want to use it???
If we are truly getting "out-of-towners" to come for our pool (which i highly doubt) then they should pay for it to maintain it, similar to when i drive on the interstate system in Illinois i have to pay a fee that goes back towards maintenance costs. It might not cover the whole project, but it sure would go a long way.
It sure would be nice when my house needs a new roof if my neighbors would all contribute. This is the same logic being used in this case as well. Everyone pays for what only a few people use.
Jun 15, 2010 at 9:35 p.m.
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The city maintenance crews will fix this. but hey ,it just maybe time to redo this soon with somthing similar, but new!
Jun 15, 2010 at 6:31 p.m.
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My 3 grandchildren LOVE Palmer Park!!! When MY children were young we held birthday parties there. If we are trying to attract tourists to the area, closing this pool would be a HUGE loss to our community.
I hope there is a way to repair it and keep the pool open. It is a place to "build memories" for sooo many families looking for no cost entertainment for their youngsters.
With our local economy in the toilet, this is about ALL THERE IS locally, for young families to enjoy.
Children don't understand politics... they just need somewhere to go to have fun!
Jun 15, 2010 at 4:06 p.m.
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Shoulda bitten the bullet.
Jun 15, 2010 at 4:06 p.m.
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Sure would be very very sad to see this wading pool closed as it has been around since I was kid (I am 34 yrs old). My kiddos have barely been able to enjoy this as they are finally getting old enough so that we can go. I know it would cost alot to fix it, but would also ber very sad to see it closed!
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