CASCADE PARK Officials to examine pool

Officials are hoping repairs will cost less than the estimated $1 million.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- It's been about four years, but the public pool at Cascade Park will finally see some water next week.
Mayor Wayne Alexander said city firefighters will help fill the pool with 2 or 3 feet of water to determine if there are any problems. Bruce and Merilees Electric will also be on hand to work the pool's filtration system to determine what work needs to be done.
Alexander and New Castle Community Y Director Bill Lutz have been looking into reopening the public pool, which was closed in 2000. Former Mayor Tim Fulkerson said repairs to the pool were too costly and included a large crack. They were estimated at about $1 million.
Alexander said he thinks repairs to the pool could be much less. He thinks that the more costly repairs may come from the filtration system and that the crack may be a secondary problem. Alexander said he has spoken to a pool expert about covering the bottom of the pool with 2 or 3 inches of concrete to handle the problem.
Bathhouse needs repairs
The mayor said they are also looking at repairs to the bathhouse where renovations will need to be completed before opening. Officials are hoping to open the pool in the summer of 2005.
Lutz said a complete assessment of the physical plant is needed before any plans can be made.
"What I would like to do is get as many different sets of eyes to look at this as I possibly can," Lutz said. "One of the things I'm very concerned about is if and when the pool opens, it has to be attractive. It has to safe. It has to be clean. It has to be secure. Those are key issues when you are trying to attract families and children."
Lutz said the two key issues are determining the cost of repairs and finding the funding to pay for them.