Centegra Indoor Pool Not Up to State, Federal Standards

’s indoor pool is one of the hundreds of licensed swimming facilities in violation of state and federal safety regulations, state officials said.

The fitness center failed to install a suction entrapment system required under the federal Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act of 2007, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

officials said the pool will be closed in December to make the improvements required under the law.

Three of Centegra’s four indoor and outdoor pools already are compliant with the Graeme Act, said Kim Piraino, Centegra Health Bridge Fitness Center sales and marketing manager.

Piraino said the indoor pool at the Health Bridge will be closed beginning Dec. 19 to make the improvements.

“Centegra Health Bridge Fitness Centers are dedicated to customer safety,” she said.

The state’s list included Sun City Huntley’s Meadow View pool, however, the safety upgrades were made and it passed an Illinois Department of Public Health inspection in 2010, said Bill Pennock, executive director for Sun City Huntley.

Still, Sun City received a letter from the health department indicating the pool was not in compliance, he said.

“We are thinking it was an administrative” mistake, he said, adding the pool’s license number does not match the number on the inspection certificate.

Illinois Department of Public Health handles the compliance checks for the federal and state regulations. Illinois lawmakers passed the Illinois Swimming Facility Code rules in 2010 also requiring suction fittings and safety vacuum release on pools.

About 85 percent of licensed swimming facilities have complied, but the remaining, about 500, have been closed, according to Illinois Department of Public Health officials.