The YMCA Board of Directors is pleased to report they have identified a clear direction for the repair work to the YMCA’s Huber swimming pool. A thorough evaluation of the pool’s damages, by the Wallover Pool Architectural firm, concerning the February 28th catastrophic failure of the pool’s cast iron deck drainage and PVC filtration piping systems identified the need to repair the pool’s foundation first. This repair work will stabilize the pool’s floor and side walls. This work was completed April 11th and is currently in an eight day curing process.
The YMCA was also pleased to learn, from the Wallover Architects, the integrity of the Huber pool tank is still structurally rock-solid and does not have decalcification or spider cracking on the outer walls of the tank. However, there were concerns regarding the future reliability of the pool’s main drainage system, which includes the three main drains, the associated cast iron pool encased piping and main drain value.
After evaluating four possible solutions to repair the Huber pool, the YMCA Board of Directors decided upon completely revitalizing the Huber pool for another 30 years of service for the YMCA’s membership and the community of Chambersburg. This repair project will include the installation of 2 new Virginia Graeme Baker certified main drain boxes, the associated new exposed main drain lines and a new main drain valve. The one-meter diving board area of the pool will also be deepened with the lowering of the pool’s floor in the diving area along with raising the pool’s current gutter system to the existing pool deck level, which in effect will provide the Huber pool with an additional 12 inches of water depth. A new pool filtration system with faster “pool turn over time” will also be required due to the increase in pool water volume.
Unfortunately, these improvements will impact the YMCA’s current swimming schedule, since these solutions require a significant amount of time and YMCA funds to complete. However, these upgrades to the Huber Pool’s appearance, filtration system and functionality for future generations’ use require the YMCA to accomplish these upgrades at this time.
During the pool repair work, entering and exiting the Walker Pool will be redirected on a periodic basis. More information on this matter will be available once the pool contractors have finalized their work schedules for this repair work. Dust and dirt will be controlled as best as possible; however, with all the concrete cutting it will be impossible to eliminate this debris all together. In general, no one will be permitted on the Huber pool deck until all this work is finished.
The YMCA Board of Directors and YMCA Staff appreciate your patience and understanding, while these improvements are made. Our current goal is to be fully operational with the Huber Pool by September 1, 2011.
