It’s sort of like spring cleaning — but on a much larger scale.
The parks and recreation department will close the pool, community center, exercise room and all recreation programming starting Monday, May 5, so that workers can complete a long list of maintenance projects and equipment upgrades.
“This closure allows us to take care of necessary work that supports the safety, longevity and function of our community spaces — especially the pool and surrounding amenities,” Parks and Rec Director Lucy Robinson said in an online update on April 10.
“We will likely reopen the weight room, cardio equipment, sauna and lockers by late May, pending project completion,” she said. “The pool is tentatively scheduled to be closed through July. Depending on project completion, this date range could change. Stay tuned.”
Updates on the closure — and reopening — will be posted on Parks and Rec’s website http://www.wrangellrec.com.
“All (Parks and Rec) passes and cards will be paused during the closure. No time will be lost,” Robinson explained. “Expiration dates will be extended so you won’t miss a beat once we reopen.”
The work will cost at least $50,000, including replacement of the heat exchanger that warms the pool water, installing a new chlorination unit at the pool, and painting and upgrading the lockers. “We’re waiting on quotes for paint and supplies and aiming to do this work in-house to avoid the $70,000-plus cost of full locker replacement,” she said.
Other projects during the shutdown include steam-cleaning tile and grout, acid-washing the pool deck, deep cleaning the building’s carpet, interior repainting, resurfacing the gym floor and maintenance of the weight room equipment.
Much of the work will be handled by department staff including Lane Fitzjarrald, Devyn Johnson, the seasonal parks crew “and any lifeguards who would like to help,” Robinson said.
“Our team will handle what we can in-house, bringing in the pros for any work outside of our skills and abilities for the specialized repairs and assessments.” That would include the heating and ventilation system and electrical work.
Jim Early and Erik Scheib of the borough’s facility maintenance team are likely to help with the coordinated effort to get the work completed, Robinson said.
“Preventative maintenance is key to extending the life of our equipment and infrastructure,” the director said. “While repairs aren’t always glamorous, they’re absolutely essential. … By using this slower period to complete projects in-house where possible, we’re maximizing our resources and minimizing future disruption.”
The department has to stay within its budget for the fiscal year that ends June 30. The assembly last year cut $86,000 — about 13% — from the borough’s 2023 contribution to Parks and Recreation programs and building operations.
Robinson reminded residents that while the pool and recreation facilities will be closed, “our parks, trails and green spaces remain open! We encourage you to enjoy the great outdoors and take advantage of these spaces while we work hard to complete these essential improvements.”
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