Newport: Pool Update – Back open by Saturday?
It’s a good sign at the Newport Pool that they are re-filling the 180,000 gallon “cee-ment pond” at the east end of 12th Street. An electrical problem caused the pool to accidentally drain late last week.
Electrical workers and plumbers have been working to check out the pool’s equipment to make sure that being flooded in the basement didn’t do them in. So far so good, they say. Public Works Director Tim Gross says they will do final checks on the pumps to ensure they’re okay to fire back up. He also said that while the malfunction was troublesome for the city it was a very “instructive” moment as to what design changes need to be made so the pool is not again allowed to drain itself accidentally.
As to when the pool might be back open Gross said “Check back tomorrow after the pumps have been inspected.” Parks and Recreation Director Jim Protiva told the city council Tuesday evening that if the pumps are fine, the pool could be back open by Saturday. Protiva quickly said it’s not a guarantee, but certainly within the real of possibilities.