Council Discusses Fate of Indoor Urbandale Pool Today

The fate of the Urbandale Public Pool will be discussed by the city council and parks and recreation department at a joint lunch and learn work session today.

According to an update on the city's website, city staff met with consultants on Oct. 10 to evaluate the condition of the pool basin and existing plaster.

Cost estimates and recommendations for either replastering or replacing the pool liner are likely to be discussed during this afternoon's work session. 

The pool, the city's only public pool, was closed on Aug. 27 for annual maintenance and to address the falling pool liner.

The city determined after evaluation that the pool would not re-open until the line was replaced, removed or another solution was found.

The damaged liner was removed on Sept. 21.

The liner was last replaced three years ago, according to a Des Moines Register report.

Parks and Recreation Director Jan Herke said the liner should not have deteriorated after only three years and that chemicals used in the pool could be to blame.

According to the Des Moines Register, the projected loss of revenue from the fall season of swim lessons and water programs is about $5,500.

Revenue from group rentals - including a swim club, general admissions and other revenue - was about $25,000 from September to December 2011, Henke told the Register.

Today's lunch and learn work session begins at 11:45 a.m. at city hall.