Durham pool will remain closed for summer season

Long Meadow Pool in Durham will be closed for the entire 2014 summer season because of safety concerns resulting from chronic water infiltration into the pool's mechanical room, according to a press release.

Officials have worked to stop the problem, which is caused by the room being below surface grade. Despite work by both city crews and outside contractors, water continues to flood the mechanical room, posing both electrical and fall hazards for city staff and swimmers.

“We are really disappointed that we have to close Long Meadow Pool,” said Durham Parks and Recreation Director Rhonda B. Parker in the ress release. “In order to accommodate Long Meadow Pool patrons, we plan to extend swim hours at our two other outdoor pools, and will post this information on the website in the coming weeks.”

Durham's two other outdoor pools are Forest Hills and Hillside pools, which open in June. The city also has two indoor pools - Edison Johnson Aquatic Center and Campus Hills Pool. They are open all year.

According to the release, a comprehensive assessment of the city’s aquatics facilities will be submitted to city staff for review in August. Staff will then use this information to set priorities and a timeline for implementation of work needed at all of the city’s aquatics facilities, the release says. That includes the water infiltration issue in Long Meadow Pool’s mechanical room.