While work has continued on completion of the new bubble over the Kedron pools, another slight delay has reared an ugly head.
This time it’s a matter of waiting for installation of the lighting, which arrived Thursday, and the delivery of a custom carbon monoxide sensor, according to City Engineer David Borkowski.
The carbon monoxide sensor is critical to securing the approval of the fire marshal, Borkowski told the city council Thursday night.
The problem is that these materials are custom made and thus cannot be purchased “off the rack,” Borkowski said.
The bubble has been inflated, and hopes are to open it up for swimming within seven to 10 days, Borkowski said.
In the meantime, the electrical inspection of the facility by a building inspector was slated for Friday, Borkowski noted. Recreation and public works employees have been busy cleaning up the site and getting it ready to open to the public, he added.
If there was any doubt about the city’s heartburn in delays on the project, Borkowski cleared that up too, referring to the need for “a lot of Tums and antacids” to get through the process.
Councilwoman Kim Learnard said she knows city staff is working hard on the project and she appreciates the effort.
The project is expected to cost well north of the original $454,000 approved by council in June. In October, the city council approved an additional repair amount up to $100,000 to cover problems with electrical issues and unplanned waterline extensions.
Also Thursday, council voted to spend just under $19,000 for the purchase and installation of a new fence around the pools, in part because construction of the bubble damaged the concrete support posts and also splattered concrete on the fence.
Council has agreed to fund the bubble replacement over a 10-year period with funds from a $3 million bond aimed at repairing and upgrading city facilities.
The bubble replacement includes not just a new bubble exterior but also a new air exchange system for the facility.
City officials are hoping they will get 20 years or more from the new bubble enclosure.
The downtime for the bubble this year forced all five Fayette County high school swim teams to scramble to find practice time at other area facilities.
The teams also traditionally hosted several meets at the Kedron pools.
