SWIMMING POOL STUDY - Wahoo Civic Center The Wahoo Area Recreation Association (WARA) Board of the...

MUNICIPAL SWIMMING POOL STUDY WAHOO, NEBRASKA JANUARY, 2004 PARK BOARD MEMBERS: PRESIDENT MIKE TRANMER VICE-PRESIDENT ANN EGR BOARD MEMBERS CRAIG BREUNING

RICH CRUICKSHANK

GREG HOHL

KEN HANKE JANET JONAS BECKIE LACEY STEVE SALLENBACH

PARKS & RECREATION DIRECTOR KEVIN STUHR

JEO CONSULTING GROUP, INC. 142 W. 11TH STREET, PO BOX 207

WAHOO, NEBRASKA 68066 (402)443-4661; FAX (402)443-3508

NEBRASKA CITY, NE HASTINGS, NE NORFOLK, NE LINCOLN, NE CARROLL, IA IOWA CITY, IA NEW RICHMOND, WI

INTRODUCTION

The Wahoo Area Recreation Association (WARA) Board of the City of Wahoo, Nebraska has

retained the engineering services of JEO Consulting Group, Inc. (JEO) to perform a swimming

pool study. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the existing facility and examine the option

of building a new facility in the same location. Finally, the study provides cost estimates for

completing improvements to the existing swimming pool. This report addresses the following

areas:

Evaluate the existing main and wading swimming pool structure and piping.

Evaluate the existing bathhouse.

Provide a schematic design for a new aquatic facility with zero depth entry, diving well,

water slide(s), wading pool, and water play features.

Review the exterior Lighting.

Provide Opinion of Costs for renovating the existing facility and provide opinions of costs

for construction of a new Aquatic Facility.

Possible Funding options.

BACKGROUND AND POOL HISTORY

The pool and bathhouse are located in the City

Park at 418 East 4th Street between 4th and 5th

Street. The pool is located east of Smith Park

in Wahoo, Nebraska. The main swimming,

wading pool and bathhouse started

construction in 1952 and the pool opened July

2, 1953. The first week the attendance was

2,800 swimmers. The largest single day

attendance during this first week was 606. A

grand opening and dedication was held on

August 2nd of that year. The pool facility is

normally open from 1:00 until 8:00 P.M. from Memorial Day to mid-August.

Photo 1: View of Main Pool Area

MUNICIPAL SWIMMING POOL STUDY – WAHOO, NEBRASKA – 2004 1

A site visit was made on October 2, 2003 with Bob Graves from WARA, JEO Consulting Group,

Inc. and Associated Pool Builders to inspect the existing condition of the main pool, wading

pool, concrete deck, recirculation system, bathhouse and filter system.

The original vacuum DE filter system was replaced with a rapid sand filter system in the spring

of 2000. The new system increased the filtration rate from 400 GPM to 663 GPM to meet the

required filtration rates.

The original pool piping around the exterior walls of the pool was replaced with PVC piping in

phases by City staff approximately 10 years ago.

EXISTING CONDITIONS

POOLS The swimming pool is a ‘T’ shape with the main

body having dimensions of 82’-1/4” (25-meters)

by 40’-0” pool and a 40’-0” by 42’-1/2” diving

well on the side. The pool has water surface

area totaling 4,960 square feet and holds

approximately 200,000 gallons of water. This is

classified as a Class A pool under the current

Nebraska Department of Health and Human

Services (NDH&HS) Rules and Regulations

adopted in 1979. Under these regulations, the

current pool capacity is rated for 273 swimmers.

Park staff has stated that a high swimmer

demand occurs during certain summer days.

The pool walls are formed and poured in-place

concrete construction with an integral concrete

gutter along the perimeter. The concrete gutter

is designed to skim surface water and handle

overflow.

Photo 2: Formed concrete wall with integrated gutter system

Photo 3: Drain in the diving well


The diving well of the pool does meet current diving well design standards for depth only, but

not for the side slopes and general shape as required by the NDH&HS for a one-meter high (or

less) diving tower only. The current standards require a larger diving well bowl for diving

boards.

The floors in both the main pool and wading

pool have significant cracks, however, these

are not uncommon in concrete this old. The

Parks staff indicated the pool experiences

excessive leakage during the season. The staff

stated the water loss regarding actual depth is

up to six-inches (6”) per day. This loss equates

to approximately 18,000 gallons per day. This

loss increases the amount of chemical and

water usage. The water temperature also

decreases due to the need to add fresh water

daily. The decrease in water temperature

contributes to the loss in attendance.

Photo 4: Wading Pool area. Cracking can be seen in the floor of the pool area

Some of the initial leakage could be seeping

through the significant cracks. However, as the

water warms up, the concrete should expand

partially, thus closing these cracks and slowing

or stopping the minor leakage.

The wading pool is located in the northeast

corner of the site. The wading pool is 15’ by 25’

and the pool has a water surface area of 375

square feet and holds approximately 4,300

gallons of water. It shares the same piping

system and filtration system as the main pool. It has six wall inlets and a floor drain on the north

end. This wading pool is in good condition, but the pool floor has significant cracks similar to

the main pool.

Photo 5: Cracking in the floor of the main pool


DECKS A concrete deck surrounds the main pool and wading pool. The deck between the main pool and

the bathhouse is 15 feet wide. The current NDH&HS rule requires a minimum deck width of

eight feet between the pool and any fence or buildings. Only the deck north of the diving well

does not meet these width requirements.

Portions of the deck have been removed and replaced in order to repair the piping and/or to

repair damaged areas. In these areas, the concrete is generally uniform in grade or texture. The

decks around the wading pool are seven to eight feet in width. Most of the decks slope towards

the pool, which does not meet current standards. New standards require all of the deck to slope

away from the pool.

A five-foot high chain link fence surrounding the pool area is in fairly good condition and is not

in need of major repair. There is a gate in the fencing between the main pool and the wading

pool. There is a six-foot high fence around two sides of the filtration equipment.

The lifeguard chairs are of a modern stainless

steel construction and appear to have been

replaced in recent years. However, some of the

ladders appear to be original equipment while

some have been replaced with modern stainless

steel type equipment.

The diving tower has been temporarily

removed. This removal is due to a breakage

that occurred about two weeks before the season e

Two slides are normally used during the summer

used at the indoor pool at the Civic Center after

slide is permanent and has a platform height o

approximately three years ago.

MUNICIPAL SWIMMING POOL STUDY – WAHOO, NEBRASKA

Photo 6: Permanent Slide

nded.

swimming season. One slide is portable and is

the outdoor season has concluded. The other

f six feet, is deck mounted and was installed

– 2004 4

FILTER AND PUMP The original pool pump and multi-cell rapid

vacuum DE filter was replaced in 2000. The

current filter is a single-cell, 90” diameter, and

vertical high rate sand filter manufactured by

Swimtime. The pump has the capacity to

pump water at a rate of 663 gallons per minute.

The pump and filter combination provide the

required filtration rate of 15 gallons per square

foot of filter surface area. The normal working

pressure of the filter is 50 pounds per square

inch. The pump provides an approximate turnover rate of six-hours in the main pool. This does

meet the required turnover rate of six-hours set by the NDH&HS. The water clarity produced by

the filter is good and meets required standards.

Photo 7: Filter and Pumping Equipment

RECIRCULATION PIPING The recirculation piping pool consists of PVC

(plastic) piping under the deck from the

perimeter overflow gutter drains and main drain

to the suction end of the pump. Discharge piping

from the filter enters the pool through PVC

piping located along the perimeter of the pool

under the deck. Wall inlets are located

periodically along the interior pool wall to

return the water to the pool. One of the

inlets broke off at the pool wall this past

season and is probably a major source of

the pool leakage. The gutter and inlet

piping has been replaced 10 years ago and

probably has had some other failures

recently. City personnel indicated possible

failures of this piping were still occurring

during the October site visit.

MUNICIPAL SWIMMING POOL STUDY – WAHOO, NEBRASKA – 2

Photo 8: Broken Wall inlet

Photo 9: Wall inlet in good condition

004 5

DISINFECTION AND CHEMICAL CONTROL

The pools also share the existing disinfection system. The pool system has two metering pumps

that pump either chlorine or acid solutions to the filtered water. Liquid chlorine solution is used

to control pathogens such as bacteria in the pool water. The acid solutions are used to help

control the pH, which is a measure of the acid-alkalinity balance of the water. If the water is too

acidic, it will corrode metal equipment and cause skin irritations. If the water is too high in

alkaline, it can cause scaling on the pool surface, plumbing equipment and cloud the water.

The chlorinated water is then passed back into the recirculation piping and introduced into the

pool. Each unit is capable of feeding 108 gallons of chemicals per day. The disinfection systems

for the pools meet the current NDH&HS standards. Regular water testing by the pool manager

indicates these systems are working properly. The original outside access restrooms on the

northeast corner of the bathhouse were converted to the chemical feed room when the filter was

replaced in 2000.

LIGHTING The exterior overhead lighting and poles appears to be the original equipment. The lighting

probably does not meet the current standards for bonding (grounding) grid requirements to the

pool reinforcing and filter pump system. Some additional grounding was completed when the

original piping was replaced. It also appears not to meet the current lighting standards for

illumination of the water surface for

nighttime swimming, although no foot-

candle meter was used during any site visit.

A standard of 50 foot-candles of

illumination is required on the water

surface and 100 foot-candles are required

on the deck. BATHHOUSE The 28’-8” by 64’-0” bathhouse was

constructed with the pool in 1952. There

are two separate dressing areas for male Photo 10: Front Elevation of Bathhouse


and female patrons. Each room has a private dressing area, lavatories, showers, water closets,

urinals, and lighting.

Between the dressing rooms is the admission area used by the pool personnel for checking

clothes and lobby. Two separate outside access restrooms at the northeast and northwest corners

of the bathhouse were also built to allow access to the public without entering through the

bathhouse. As previously stated, the northeast restroom was converted to a chemical feed room.

The northwest restroom is not in service and is used for storage. The bathhouse was originally

built with a flat roof. A sloped roof was added over the flat roof with the original roofing

material being removed.

This bathhouse has a capacity of 150 patrons but the pool has a capacity of 273 patrons

according to current NDH&HS design standards for a Class A pool.

OPERATING COSTS The last four years of income and expenses for the pool facility are shown below for information

only.

Year Income (Dollars) Expenses (Dollars)1 Difference

2000 14,806 28,456 -13,653

2001 11,406 31,550 -20,144

2002 13,149 34,634 -21,485

2003 12,581 36,380 -23,799 1 Expenses include salaries, taxes, repairs, maintenance, supplies, utilities, etc. 1 Expenses also included a new PA microphone, pool paint, pool vacuum repairs and a new ball valve.

SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENTS TO THE POOL Based on the site investigations and previous experience with aging swimming pool complexes,

JEO offers the following observations, comments and suggestions. These suggested

improvements should be carried out to extend the life of Wahoo’s Municipal Swimming Pool.

POOL STRUCTURE The City staff has repaired and maintained the 51-year-old pool structure very aggressively. As

stated before the structure appears to be in good condition, but has several cracks in the floors

and walls. These cracks may be partially responsible for some of the water loss at the pool. The


pool appears to have been properly caulked and painted in the past, which lessens the loss of

water. The existing pool structure does not show immediate signs of failure. Recommendation:

The existing structure could be plastered or gunited to improve the water holding capabilities.

The maximum depth area in the diving well is 11-feet directly above the main drain. This meets

the requirement for depth; however, the shape of the diving well is noncompliant. The

NDH&HS standards require a specified clearance between the diving towers and specific

dimensions from the end of the board to the pool edge, water surface and pool bottom.

Recommendation: It is our recommendation that a diving tower/board of any height not be re-

installed. DECK AND DECK EQUIPMENT Portions of the original concrete deck have been replaced over the years. These areas were

located where piping was repaired or where the deck cracked or buckled. The different finish

and color of the deck sections is not aesthetically pleasing. The existing deck slopes towards the

pool, which is not permitted by the NDH&HS standards. The NDH&HS standards also require

that the decks are accessible with a standard 50-foot section of hose for washing and the pool

meets those standards.

The existing fencing, although of adequate height and shape, could be replaced with vinyl-coated

chain link fencing. The one-meter and three-meter diving towers have been removed and should

not be reinstalled. Some of the pool ladders also appear to be original deck equipment. The

remaining pool ladders and lifeguard chairs have been replaced with stainless steel deck

equipment.

FILTER AND PUMP The existing 90-inch diameter rapid sand filter and filter pump has been performing adequately

for three years. Recommendation: No improvements are recommended at this time.

RECIRCULATION PIPING The original gravity suction piping from the gutter drains is still being used. Problems

encountered by the pool staff over recent years have indicated failures in the piping. Pressure

testing of this line would most likely confirm this. As previously mentioned, the inlet piping is

likely to be contributing to the leakage problems.


RECOMMENDATION

OPTION 1

One option for correcting this problem would be to remove the deck around the perimeter of the

pool and replace the gutter drain piping with PVC pipe. The new deck could then be sloped

away from the pool or to deck or trench drains. The deck or trench drains would be installed in

the new concrete and drain to the outside of the fencing or to storm sewer. The main drawback

of this option is the requirement for the new recirculation piping to be buried under the concrete

deck as done originally. Since this recirculation piping will be filled and drained yearly it will be

subject to movement (expansion and contraction) from temperature changes. Various types of

restraints have been used to reduce this movement but nothing can eliminate the potential

problem. When the piping does eventually fail, the concrete deck must be torn out to make

repairs.

OPTION 2

Another option is to install a new perimeter overflow system to replace the existing concrete

gutter, cast iron suction piping and PVC inlet piping system. A typical perimeter overflow

typically consists of a stainless steel gutter recirculation system which requires a single return

(inlet) line from the filter discharge to the gutter system, and two or three suction pipes (outlet)

from the gutter to the suction end of the pump. The inlet piping is an internal part of the stainless

steel gutter system, which supplies water to the pool with minimal piping required. This option

requires very little underground piping. Buried pool piping has a history of failures, requiring

replacement and reconstruction. Stainless steel gutters are simpler, attractive and require less

maintenance.

Perimeter overflow systems such as this require surge protection and continuous surface

skimming. The normal water level would be about 2 to 3 inches below the lip of the proposed

gutter to provide for the surge capacity within the pool. Skimmers built into the gutter would

provide continuous surface skimming.

The existing concrete wall would be sawn off horizontally and the stainless steel gutter attached

to the wall. The height of the gutter and water surface would be raised to provide deck drainage

away from the pool. The area between the stainless steel gutter and the existing concrete wall


would be filled with non-shrink grout. Deck drains would need to be installed between the

bathhouse and the main pool.

DISINFECTION AND CHEMICAL CONTROL The existing disinfection systems have supplied the pools with clean; well-treated water for years

and no replacement is warranted at this time.

LIGHTING The existing exterior pool lighting system does not meet certain current standards as required by

the NDH&HS and the State Electrical Department. A bonding grid is required that creates a

bond between the fencing, the steel reinforcing in the decks, the deck equipment and stainless

steel gutter system (if installed) to the pool pumping equipment in order to ground the entire

system. Recommendation: The electrical system and outdoor lighting should be brought up to

current codes and meet the current foot-candles at the water surface.

BATHHOUSE The existing bathhouse does not meet current ADA requirements because of the number of

required fixtures (toilets, urinals, sinks and showers) does not appear to meet requirements for

the current pool bather loading. Some of the fixtures are in need of replacement because of

normal wear. Showers have dual control valves that are not allowed with the current regulations.

Showers must be a single lever control with the water temperature already mixed a central

location. This prohibits the possibility of scalding. Outside wall concrete blocks are missing in

places and doorframes along with the doors need to be replaced.

MUNICIPAL SWIMMING POOL STUDY – WAHOO, NEBRASKA

Photo 11: Cracked Urinal
Photo 12: Outside Wall of Bathhouse
– 2004 10

SUMMARY OF EXISTING CONDITIONS

Water loss is a major problem in the current pool. The need to considerable fresh water daily

decreases the desired swimming pool temperature and adds to the chemical cost and operational

costs to run the pool. Testing of the existing piping was not done for this study. The test would

not pinpoint the area(s) that leak, however this would confirm a leakage problem. WARA staff

also monitored the water loss without the filtration system operating after this pool season.

Results showed that water loss from the pool basin or tub was evident through the pool walls and

floor. The layout of the existing pool along with the water depths does not promote fun leisure

swimming activities.

The lighting and bathhouse both require improvements to bring them up to current NH&HS

standards. Filtration equipment and disinfection system is relatively new and does not require

any improvements. For information purposes the filter project cost was $ 67,500 which did not

include the in-kind labor and materials provided by the City personnel. With the in-kind costs

included the overall project cost would equal $100,000. The bathhouse and pool also do not meet

current ADA requirements. Both could be possibly be renovated to meet current standards but

the City would still have a fifty year old facility that does not promote fun leisure swimming.

An existing plan showing the layout of the pool site is shown at the back on sheet C1.1.


RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS

According to recent A.C.Neilsen studies, swimming is the most popular leisure time activity in

the United States with 54 percent of the population participating annually. Most traditional

public pools are generally poorly attended, are not being used by adults, and have limited family

participation. They normally offer limited opportunities for the user other than sitting in the sun

or standing in the water. Little swimming or water activity actually takes place. When it does,

the user is participating in a crowded atmosphere which detracts from their leisurely enjoyment

of the activity.

The Wahoo municipal swimming pool has exceeded its predicted lifespan and has almost

reached the end of its useful life. If renovations are made to the existing pool or a new aquatic

pool is constructed, then both need to provide new elements to attract users, which include:

Provide a pool that meets current swimming pool standards

Provide improved toddler area designed for safety and comfort.

Provide shaded areas from extended exposure to the sun for those seeking such areas.

Provide a waterworks area especially designed for children and young adults.

Provide a vastly improved bathhouse that meets ADA requirements and includes family

dressing areas.

The current standards were adopted in 1979 by the NDH&HS and are still in effect at the time of

this study. The NDH&HS are in the process of reviewing, upgrading or revising the current

guidelines at this time. Plans are to have further public meetings prior to finalizing and adopting

the new guidelines. Before the City of Wahoo finalizes any improvement plans the

guidelines/standards may change depending on timing and adoption of the new guidelines.

OPTIONS One option is to close the facility. JEO does not seriously consider this because it believes the

existing pool is too important to the community.

Another option is to continue making annual repairs and attempt to reduce the water loss in the

existing pool.


A third option is to renovate the existing pool facility. This option is not preferred because it

would be expensive and does not avoid old equipment failures in areas that were not replaced.

The pool and bathhouse still would not be handicapped accessible and/or meet ADA

requirements.

A fourth option is to build a new aquatic facility. This probably would be preferred because the

new facility would attract more users and generate more revenue. This could also lead to more

urban growth for the City of Wahoo.

The next step for the City should be to pursue financing options. JEO could assist in pursuing

grant and/or loan money from state and federal agencies. We would also appreciate the

opportunity to design any improvements that the City decides to pursue. JEO’s years of

experience with designing new swimming pool complexes and renovating existing facilities

make our staff well suited to meet the City’s wants and needs and to do the job right.


ESTIMATED PROJECT COSTS Funding for the proposed improvements could come from city budgeted money, bond election

(sales tax or general tax) grants, loans, donations or any combination of these.

The cost estimates in this section are based upon similar projects that JEO has been or is

associated within recent years. These costs should be considered good for a one-year period.

Included in these cost estimates are contingencies, engineering, administration and legal fees.

Engineering and construction costs for renovations are slightly higher than new designs because

unforeseen conditions that are often encountered during construction.

A cost estimate for all four options is as follows:

Option 1 – Close the pool No cost estimate

Option 2 – Make annual repairs $ 5,000 to $10,000 a year

Option 3 – Renovation of the existing facility See breakdown below

a. Install PVC liner to the main pool $ 55,000 to 120,000

b. Install Shotcrete pool liner w/mesh and paint $ 195,000 to 215,000

c. Remove and Replace perimeter piping

including new decks w/drains around the pool $ 200,000 to 250,000

d. Renovate the bathhouse to meet ADA requirements $ 215,000 to 285,000

e. Install Stainless Steel Gutter $ 150,000 to 170,000

We would recommend that under Option 3-‘Renovation of the Existing Facilities’ that items a, d

and e be completed for an estimated total project costs of $ 420,000 to $ 600,000. This should

bring the facility up to the current Health Department standards. Any additional renovations to

upgrade the existing pool and bathhouse required to meet the proposed new Health Department

standards may increase these costs by an additional 10 – 20 percent.

Option 4 – Build New Facility See breakdown below

a. Main and Wading Pools w/decks $ 930,00 to 1,300,000

b. Bathhouse $ 325,000 to 470,000

c. Slide $ 1,100 per foot

We feel a facility as shown on plan sheet C1.1b that includes two diving stands, waterslide,

provisions for racing lanes, wading pool, concession area, and a bathhouse would cost between

1.3 and 1.9 million dollars. A new pool and bathhouse appears to be able to construct on the

same site as the existing pool and would have a capacity of 325 patrons.


SWIMMING POOL STUDY - Wahoo Civic Center The Wahoo Area Recreation Association (WARA) Board of the...

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Transcript of SWIMMING POOL STUDY - Wahoo Civic Center The Wahoo Area Recreation Association (WARA) Board of the...