Lightning Strike, Construction Issues Delay Vernon Pool Opening

VERNON, CT — The new Horowitz Pool at Henry Park in Vernon will not open this summer for the swimming season, municipal officials said Wednesday. Heavy weather, and construction and calendar complications were cited.

The reconstruction project at the pool is "ongoing" and is expected to be
completed "shortly," but the pool will not be ready for use this season, the mayor said.

To the naked eye, it looked ready Wednesday.

But ...

"We had hoped to have the pool open this summer for our residents to use and enjoy, but a variety of construction challenges prevented that," Vernon Mayor Dan Champagne said. "The pool and the reconstructed bath house are beautiful and will serve Vernon residents for generations to come, and we are looking forward to a full season of swimming next summer."

Champagne said he had been holding out hope that the pool could open for Labor Day weekend, but that will not be possible because the town's lifeguards have returned to school and are not available.

The construction issues that slowed the project included broken pipes, the need to rewire the pool house, the installation of new support columns in the pool house basement, and changes to the curtain drain system designed to protect the pool from groundwater pressure.

A lightning strike also destroyed a $20,000 pump installed for the new pool.

"When you are dealing with a structure (originally) built in 1952, you never know what problems may crop up," Champagne said.

The pool contractor — Juliano's — and others "continue to work on punch list items," town officials said.

An open house is being planned for September.