Redmond Pool at Hartman Park to receive $100,000 in repairs

Published 11:34 am Friday, February 12, 2016

The Redmond City Council approved the public works and parks and recreation departments’ staff recommendation for limited repairs at the Redmond Pool at Hartman Park during Tuesday’s study session.

Katie Anderson, acting director for the parks and recreation department, said the repairs will be limited and not exceed $100,000.

The pool was built in 1970 and there are a number issues that need to be addressed. In a presentation to council, city staff said these issues include piping corrosion, leaking roof and windows and collapsed HVAC underground duct work.

“Much of the equipment is original,” Anderson said.

In addition, city staff said there are operational issues including with the daily boiler control, increased maintenance time and increased outside contractor costs.

While the pool is in need of many repairs and renovations, the most pressing deficiencies needing to be addressed, according to the staff presentation, are replacing the boiler controls and installing dampers if needed, replacing the water circulation pump and repairing the pool liner.

Anderson said even with these repairs, there is no guarantee that the pool will not experience another system failure, due to its age.

Linda De Boldt, director of public works for Redmond, said the current estimated start of repair work would be mid to late March.

“This allows for the bid process, selecting a contractor and the evaluation and planning on how the work would be done,” she said.

De Boldt added that they will need to work with the contractor to determine possible service impacts to pool usage as a result of these repairs and the optimal repair/installation methods for the boiler controls. She said they would have a better idea of this once the contractor is hired.

Anderson said the pool was originally owned by King County. A major renovation was completed in 1996 and when the City of Redmond acquired the pool in 2010, about $135,000 in repairs were done as well. Anderson said a study conducted at the time found that major renovations and additions to the facility were not feasible.

In its current state, Anderson said the pool is not able to serve all of the public’s needs.

While Wave Aquatics is responsible for the pool’s programing and daily operations and offers lap swim and swimming lessons, there is not much in terms of leisurely and fun activities for users.

For a couple years, city staff has also been looking into possibly building a new community center that would replace the current Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center. This potential community center would also include a pool that would replace the city’s current aging facility and better serve the community.

“It is still in discussion,” Anderson said about the recreation building master plan.

She said as part of this discussion, the city will communicate with the public and pool partners and users. Anderson said they may also form a stakeholders’ group for the community center planning process.

City staff is looking at a number of possible locations in downtown Redmond, including on the municipal campus for the potential community center site but Anderson said nothing has been determined.