Oct 15, 2014 By Terry Kish 3 min read

Scott Township officials have already started to investigate options to deal with the aging swimming pool at Scott Park. This year’s pool opening, scheduled for Memorial Day weekend, was delayed a week to repair several leaks.

At the board’s Oct. 14 agenda meeting, Township engineer Larry Lennon reported that after tests were conducted on the concrete, there is “very significant deterioration,” as well as “pretty extensive spalling” on the walls of the pool. In addition, after investigating the gutter system and main drains for the pool, it was discovered that there are leaks and the piping needs replaced.

Lennon estimated the concrete work for the pool joints and slabs at $137,500. He presented two options for repairing the pool walls; sandblasting and painting for $155,000, or a pool liner system for $110,000. Lennon said the pool liner system has a 10-year limited warranty. With either option, the concrete work would still have to be done.

Estimates for the repair project range from approximately $650,000 to $740,000, depending on which option is chosen for the sides of the pool. Commissioner Bill Wells questioned a 35 percent contingency. Lennon said that was included because of the condition of the concrete. He commented that because there is so much deterioration, he is not sure what will be discovered once work is underway.

Lennon told the board that if they want the pool open for Memorial Day, the project needs to be under contract by December.

Commissioner Tom Castello asked how long the liner systems would last. Township manager Denise Fitzgerald said that Town Park Pool in Canonsburg uses a liner in its pool. She said the first liner lasted 15 years.

Castello asked what the cost would be to build a new pool, stating that since the current pool was almost 50 years old, it might be more cost efficient in the long run to build a new one. He suggested that the township get estimates for the cost of replacing the pool, and compare replacement versus repair costs at the board’s Oct. 28 meeting.

Board members questioned how long it would take to replace the pool if that option was chosen. Lennon said that Mt. Lebanon started work on its new pool at the end of one swim season, and was open for the following Memorial Day.

Board members commented that if they chose to replace the pool, the project could not begin until after Labor Day 2015. They asked Lennon if the pool could be patched for the next swim season. Lennon said that while he would have to speak with Public Works director Randy Lubin, he thought the pool could make it through one more season with temporary repairs.