SPRUCE PINE — The Brad Ragan Park public pool may open by the end of this week, just in time to kick off summer.
The pool has had some complications as it attempted to reopen for the first time since the 2019 season. The pool did not open during the 2020 season because of the ongoing pandemic.
Spruce Pine Parks and Recreation Director Michael Wood spoke about the pool during the regular meeting of the Spruce Pine Town Council on Monday, June 14.
“I know it has been all over Facebook and I’ve gotten a lot of questions about the swimming pool,” Wood said. “I am going to start out by saying that it has been an adventure trying to get this pump and motor over to the pool.”
The pool’s motor and pump have been in the process of being installed. Wood said that the parts were ordered around the second or third week of May.
Wood said he has been working with Public Works Director Philip Hise and his crew to install the parts.
“They have the motor, but they do not keep the pumps in stock, they have to build them,” Wood said.
Wood said the parts were shipped and should arrive this week. Afterward, several steps have to be taken before the pool can open including backwashing and adding the proper chemicals to the water.
Once the pool is clean and the chemical levels are correct, the pool must pass inspection.
“We hopefully can get this pool open by next week, now I am making no promises, but that is what is going on with our swimming pool,” Wood said. “It was an event that hit because when we went to start everything back up, it would not start up.”
Wood said he understands the frustration from the public but added that he hopes it will soon be resolved.
“I’ve read and seen the comments that this should’ve been done sooner,” Wood said. “But the way you operate a pool, especially a pool of that size, you can’t start before winter is over with. You have to wait until the warm weather gets in.
“That’s the way we have always done it and that’s the way it works, so fingers crossed I will have the pool up and running by the end of next week.”