Pool committee meets with Burbach Aquatics
A series of patches have fixed immediate problems with Guttenberg's 40+ year-old pool, but it is quickly reaching the end of its life. Inset, one of many holes that have appeared in the north wall. (Press photo by Molly Moser)
By Molly Moser
The Guttenberg pool committee met Sept. 15 with Josh Layer of Burbach Aquatics, Inc. (BAI). In attendance were committee members Mary Streich, John Barron, Deb Moser, Jane Parker, Al Ullerich, MJ Smith, and Molly Moser.
Barron summarized the committee’s activities thus far, starting with plans to renovate and as costs rose, leaning toward constructing an entirely new pool. The current pool vessel holds 228,000 gallons and is 4875 square feet. The committee discussed several patch jobs on the north pool wall, and noted that the 10,000-gallon daily water loss includes shower, sink, and toilet use.
For his first meeting with the group, Layer provided a document with changes and updates needed for conceptual plan version 5, which was listed at a total cost of $1.4 million when the committee first viewed it in November of 2014, compared with $800,000 repair cost at that time. Committee members brought him up to date with the popular uses of the pool, including lap swim, treading water, and diving boards for youth. Layer estimated each lap lane at a cost of $150,000.
A new concrete vessel has a 50-year life expectancy. Parker asked whether it would be possible to keep the pool’s 40-year-old sub-base to save money. Layer responded that BAI uses a geotech membrane below the sub-base to keep dirt away from the structure, and it would be hard to say whether the current sub-base was reusable without seeing it.
Layer then presented recently bid BAI projects for committee review, which ranged from $773,000 for adding a pool liner and zero-depth entry in Correctionville to $3 million in Independence. He pointed out several projects in which bathhouses were constructed with in-kind labor.
Discussion of slides ensued, and the committee learned that dropslides (currently installed in Guttenberg) require deeper water, which limits their use to older swimmers. Family slides can enter six inches of water and are usually used in zero-depth areas, but take up a lot of deck space. Spiral slides generally need 2-3 feet of depth at water entry.
The committee also learned that if any pool renovations are done, diving boards will need to be updated to code – which requires a platform and staircase for the high dive.
Discussion was held about the pros and cons of a new bathhouse, estimated to cost $200,000. Parker pointed out that with low staffing, the concessions and admissions areas should be shared. The bathhouse could be relocated to the north yard, between the current fence and the parking lot. There is a high cost associated with moving all the mechanicals, water, and sewer, and when rebuilding a pool it is best to keep the mechanical room separate from the bathhouse. The bathhouse is generally masonry construction while a mechanical room can be post-and frame construction. In-kind construction of either is a possibility.
Layer agreed to bring a drawing with the break room of the current bathhouse used for mechanics to the next meeting. The group discussed making the wading pool similar to the design at Correctionville, which has zero-depth entry and a slide on one end. Separate mechanics will be required for a separate vessel, and are always required for a slide.
Smith pointed out project goals. “A lot of people will want to make sure that this new pool is for the next generation and for young families. We’re looking to bring some more fun back into the pool.”
The highest bid the committee received moved the bathhouse, added a larger slide, zero depth entry, and a concession area, and was estimated at $3.27 million. Layer informed the committee that typical water slides cost about $250,000, and family slides cost at least $50-100,000.
In the past, the community has raised $800,000 for the athletic complex and $600,000 for a church. Committee members discussed keeping costs to $2-2.5 million as a goal. Layer explained that after funds are raised, the project goes to bid. If bids come back high, BAI will work with contractors to get the project within the budget using more cost-effective options.
