City officials say they have no idea when technicians will solve the problem with the HVAC system of the Chadron Area Aquatics and Wellness Center that’s made it impossible to use the main pool area, but a partial option has been made available.
Spokesman Janet Johnson says the smaller and warmer therapy pool is being made available 3 afternoons a week for open swim.
Johnson says on-going efforts by the appropriate companies to find parts and make repairs have been frustratingly unsuccessful, leaving the air in the main area too cold to use that space
Since the pool can’t be used, the temperature of the water has been lowered in a cost-saving move. Johnson says the water temperature will be raised to normal levels once the HVAC system is working properly.
The therapy pool was closed for about a week by a broken pipe, but is now fully functional. It’s used by Chadron Community Hospital under contract, including on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons until 5:00 but not on the other 3 weekdays.
As a result, beginning today, the Therapy Pool is available for open swim with normal afternoon hours on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Johnson says a few imaginative swimmers have been able to do some lap swimming in the therapy pool and the Chadron Sharks swim team members are practicing in it as best they can despite its size.
What a waste of money. This new pool seems to be Chadron’s new money pit.