Therapeutic Pool Set to Re-open, Says County Administrator

The therapeutic pool at the Stephens County Senior Center could be opened by the end of the year.

It’s been over a year since the pool was closed for major repairs after rust and other issues were discovered inside the ventilation system.

On Monday, County Administrator Phyllis Ayers said a meeting is planned this week to discuss the opening .

“This week we have a meeting with the Recreation Director, me, Building and Grounds, and the Senior Center Director” Ayers said. “And we have put out a request to the instructors to come to that meeting. We’re going to take a look at what programs we offer, which we don’t that we could, and just put the new plan together. Then after that meeting, I want to contact the Chamber to schedule a ribbon cutting. So it’s pretty soon.”

The pool was closed in November 2017 after Recreation Center Director Richard Adams said he had to close it because of problems with the heating and air conditioning system.

Adams said the problem began in 2001 when the entire HVAC system was installed incorrectly.

He said rust developed in the heating system because the dehumidifiers were not working properly.

Over the years, the system began to deteriorate further until last year when the fan on the heater finally quit altogether.

The original plan was take out the old HVAC system in put in a new system, but on Monday Ayers said the entire facility had been renovated.

“It was just completely gutted,” she said. “Everything has been removed and everything is new. The biggest thing is the new PoolPak system.”

PoolPak is the brand name of a dehumidification and filration system designed specifically for indoor pools.

County Commissioners went with PoolPak after taking bids last year for the project.

Ayers said she hopes to have the therapeutic pool open to the public by December 31st.