Patrons of the Marshall Community Center’s swimming pool are going to have to wait a little longer before diving back in.
The community center is in the midst of a $2.8 million renovation project aimed at improving the indoor swimming pool and associated facilities.
Andy Meade, the Marshall/Luepke Community Center director, said it’s the biggest renovation in the pool’s 50-plus year history.
So, maybe it’s not surprising it’s hit a snag.
“In the construction, we incurred a couple of unanticipated existing conditions dealing with piping and the concrete surface under the decking,” Meade said.
The surface under the pool deck was not in reusable condition, so it’s being demolished, taken out and replaced. The new concrete will take time to set and cure.
That pushes the pool’s reopening date back a couple of months. The cost will likely increase as well, but Meade said he wasn’t sure by how much.
The goal was to reopen the pool this month, but now it’s looking like it will open closer to mid-August.
The pool closed near the end of December.
In the interim, swim-pass holders can continue to use the swimming pool at the Firstenburg Community Center, according to information from the city. Pass holders can also use the Washington State School for the Blind’s pool for early-morning laps and some exercise classes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Both of those pools are also indoors.
The Marshall pool project includes adding a new pool deck, upgrades to the mechanical systems such as gutters and ladders, and better deck drainage. There will also be a new pool-access hallway with changing rooms.
The delay to the pool renovation project will not affect other parts of the community center, such as the gymnasium, pottery studio, fitness center and Teen SPOT. Those rooms will remain open. Group classes will continue to be offered, but pass holders can also suspend their classes until the renovations are complete.
More information about the project can be found at www.cityofvancouver.us/MCCPoolProject
