Muscle Shoals to renovate pool, avoid potential closure

Muscle Shoals has decided to keep open and eventually renovate its Cypress Lakes pool after a number of leaks were set to keep it closed for the summer season.

Parks and Recreation Director Dawn Woodall told the City Council during its March 16 meeting the city’s pool would be closed during the upcoming summer season due to leaks causing safety concerns.

She said pressure testing done on the 30-year-old (plus) pool failed at both the main and skimmer line drains.

Woodall said funds had been put in place to renovate the pool’s shell, but the leak in an unknown location would render the effort moot.

“We don’t want to invest in resurfacing the shell itself if there is a leak somewhere,” she said. “We have always had a problem maintaining the water level, we just never had pressure testing done before. We need to decide in the near future what our plans are for that location.”

Woodall said last year the pool averaged 20-30 people a day during the season, and any pool passes that had already been sold for the upcoming season were being refunded.

She suggested the Council could weigh its options on what to do with the pool, including the possibility of building a newer, smaller one in the future.

Initial estimates for getting the aging pool repaired were nearly $100,000.

Woodall gave a comprehensive update on the pool situation on the Muscle Shoals Parks and Recreation (MSPR) Facebook page on March 21.

“This issue has been under review since the conclusion of last pool season,” she said. “Last year, we were able to open the pool by repainting the surface, with the hope that it would serve as a solution to the deteriorating gunnite shell. However, by mid-summer, it became clear that this approach was not going to be a permanent solution. I had funds that were allocated and approved to replaster the gunnite surface and tile in October of last year.

“Over the past several seasons, we have experienced significant water loss and initially believed it was due to surface cracks in the gunnite. After further investigation, and at the recommendation of an engineering firm, we conducted pressure testing to determine whether there were any leaks within the pool’s plumbing system itself. The results confirmed leaks in both the main drain lines and the skimmer lines. This could prevent adequate water turnover in the pool and result in water chemical levels not being safe.

“At first, I was concerned that these issues might prevent us from safely opening the pool this season. However, after consulting with a company that specializes in older pool systems, we have been assured that the leaks can be repaired, a new filtration system installed and that the pool can be made safe for operation this summer. While the pool may not be cosmetically where we would like it to be this season, our priority is ensuring safety and functionality. We are hopeful that additional cosmetic improvements can be addressed following this season.

“Even though this issue has only been addressed publicly at the previous three Council meetings, please know that this matter has remained a top priority for me as director and has been actively worked on since the end of last pool season. If you would like more detailed information regarding the timeline or scope of work that has been done since last summer, I encourage you to contact me at any time through the office 256-386-9270 or via my city email [email protected]

“My goal is, and always will be, to provide the best possible recreational opportunities for our community while ensuring safety and being a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars. Once we are fully confident in the repair timeline and completion, we will reach out to those who have already inquired about pool parties, memberships, and related activities. Thank you for your patience and continued support.”

During a city update given by Mayor Billy Hudson via Shoals Insider on March 26, he said after meetings with “multiple experts, Ms. Woodall, Council members and contractors,” a plan has been put in place.

“After reviewing the original bids, Council members Chris Hall, Donnie Linley and I met with the original lowest bidder after they inspected the pool,” Hudson said. “This is a local contractor that is heavily invested in our area and will be able to have our pool ready for opening season by May 31 for approximately $23,000.

“We are able to save $70,000, and your taxes will be spent locally. After the season is over, we will have a complete renovation on this beautiful facility that so many of our children and families enjoy.

“I appreciate each citizen that has called me, and Council members voicing your wishes to maintain these facilities. It is the most economical and feasible plan to meet your needs and spend your money wisely to upkeep our facilities. We will put a plan into place for routine maintenance to avoid future issues. I apologize for the angst this has caused.”