The Ray Williamson Pool, the older rear pool, will be closed for over two weeks starting tomorrow, August 2, through August 17 for repairs.
According to Bainbridge Island Aquatics Center Administrator Mark Benishek, all 160,000 gallons of the pool will be drained, a process that under regulation has to be done slowly. Once it is drained over the course of 2.5-3 days, workers will clean its fiber glass lining, repair chipped tiles, and repaint racing lines. New valves also will be installed in the pump room.
Once repairs are complete it will take a few more days to refill, chlorinate, and heat up the pool, which is done through a natural solar heating system.
During the closure, additional lap swim time will be made available whenever possible at the Don Nakata Pool in the morning between 9 a.m. and noon.
Built in 1970, the Ray Williamson was originally an outdoor pool. It was enclosed in 1977.
Benishek said the first half of August is the typical annual time for maintenance work at the Aquatics Center because it is the quietest time there, during a break in pool programming. Last year at this time the Ray Williamson had a UV system installed and the year before that plumbing work performed.
Benishek said next summer the Don Nakata Pool, opened in 2001, is slated for maintenance work.
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Photo by Julie Hall