The city of Chadron is replacing the balky heating system for the main pool at the Chadron Area Aquatics and Wellness Center with officials hoping to finally have the pool open again within a couple weeks.
City Building and Zoning Official Janet Johnson told the City Council Monday night that the system has suffered from a series of mechanical problems over the past few years with the latest leading to the main or lap pool being closed the last 4 months.
The new boiler system will cost a little over $101,000 with Brennan Electric to do the electrical work for about $3,500. Johnson said the new system replaces a single 1.2-million BTU boiler with a closed-system pair of 600,000 BTU units.
Each boiler can maintain the temperature of the water by itself with both used for the initial heating following a shutdown or refilling. Johnson said the pool will be able to stay open should problems or maintenance take one boiler off-line.
The two boilers will be used in an alternating pattern to keep their operational hours about the same and reduce the chance of overworking one.
Johnson said the boilers arrived late last week with the plumbing contractor doing all the needed demolition and prep work on Saturday, so she is cautiously optimistic the lap pool will be open in two weeks.
All pool passes will be extended by the length of time the pool has been closed.
The city has the money for the new boiler system, but since it was not included in this year’s budget a special budget hearing to add it will be held next month.