SHAMOKIN - The flip of a switch later this week will determine whether or not the Lawton W. Shroyer Memorial Swimming Pool will open on time.
The 400,000-gallon pool on South Rock Street will be filled Thursday into Friday, at least halfway. At that point, the recirculating pump will be turned on.
If it primes, the pool will be good to go. If not, it will remain closed until a replacement pump already on order is delivered.
As of yet, there is no date of delivery for the pump.
"Every year there's a problem. We've met, and as far as I know, it's going to open on time," Councilman Bill Milbrand, in charge of parks and recreation, said Saturday. "It depends on whether or not the pump will work,"
"You can't just go to the shelf of a hardware store and buy a pump like that. They're specially built," he said.
Larry Strausser, city technician, is fairly confident the pump will work, but admitted no one will know until they turn it on.
One thing working in the city's favor this week is the weather. While temperatures maxed out at a tick above 90 degrees Saturday, current forecasts have them in the low- to mid-70s this week and approaching 80 degrees this weekend - good weather, no doubt, but not a heat wave.
Worthy, or too costly?
The facility, which opened in 1970, can be a headache for elected officials and the city employees tasked to keep it open. Many believe, however, that it is a worthy headache.
The pool opened late in 2007 because of mechanical issues and again in 2009 due to weather and because of debate among the former council about its financial impact on the city. In 2010, modifications costing more than $80,000 were undertaken to meet federal safety standards. The pump malfunctioned again in 2011 and delayed the start of the season by nearly one month. Another malfunction closed the pool temporarily last July.
When it's open and when the weather cooperates, it's a strong draw for area children and parents - 350 on average and 600 on a busy day.
Detractors criticize the pool's mechanical issues, and there have been many over the years, and that it operates at an annual loss of thousands of dollars. Supporters hold it up as one of few recreational offerings in Shamokin, and say that alone makes it worth the cost, even if it does lose money.
Pump 15 years old
The mechanical issue at the swimming pool is caused by a failing recirculating pump, which is the primary component of the pool's workings. It draws water out of the pool, filters it and returns it as it's chemically treated.
Current law requires the entire volume of a public swimming pool be turned over at least once every eight hours in an effort to prevent recreational water illnesses, Strausser said.
Estimated at more than 15 years old, the pump has passed its life expectancy of 10 to 15 years. It has actually been rebuilt three times rather than replaced. The latest and final rebuild came last summer after it malfunctioned in July, temporarily closing the facility.
Cost estimates for a new pump were reportedly sought in January, and council voted in February to advertise its intent to seek bids for a new one. A purchase was approved during a special meeting April 15, with council voting to accept the low bid of $55,700 from Stoneridge Inc., of Feasterville. That price holds if it's installed on a three-day schedule and rises to $59,300 if it's chosen to be installed in two days.
A back-and-forth on the schematics for the pump and the availability of equipment has slowed the process.
At the time the purchase was made, council members spoke of the possibility that the new pump may not arrive before the Shroyer pool's season was to begin, which comes after Shamokin Area School District closes for summer break. That scenario has played out as the last day of school is Friday and there's no date yet for the new pump's arrival and installation.
Prices to be set
City employees have been working on touching up and cleaning the pool's shell. That work slowed last week as focus switched to preparations for the annual Anthracite Heritage Festival of the Arts.
City council hasn't yet set the cost for admission and season passes for 2013. They are expected to do that during a special meeting Wednesday prior to the monthly council workshop session. It's not expected that the prices will rise, Milbrand said.
He added that while most of the staffing for the pool remains in place, some lifeguards will be needed.