Plumbing repair delays swimming pool opening

RANDOLPH – Randolph’s aging swimming pool has been leading the city’s public works crew into troubled waters and putting swimmers in a holding pattern waiting for opening day.

Public Works Supervisor John Dickes said a water main break forced an early closure to the pool last summer in the last week it was planned to be open. Parts needed for the repair were difficult to find for the 54-year-old pool but the repair was made last week.

But when Dickes started filling the pool, the pressurized filtration system created another leak in a pipe further down the line.

“They don’t make these parts anymore that are needed to make things work,” Dickes said. “We’re rigging up a new one. I’m making it myself.”

Dickes found elements needed from Coleridge Welding and Kelly’s Supply, Norfolk, and took his plan and the pieces to Paul’s Welding, Randolph, to meld it all together and replicate the part needed.

“Having Paul’s do it was a huge thing for us. It really saved us on making that piece,” Dickes said.

The leak caused the pool to fill with green and brown murky water which has since been drained.

“Once we get the part back in, we’ll fill the pool, turn the filtration system back on. If nothing else is going on, then the pool will be filling day and night until it’s ready,” he said.

If the latest plumbing fix holds, the pool will be ready for its first swimmers, hopefully later this week, Dickes said.

Lifeguards and pool staff have been working on cleaning and preparing for opening day - a date that keeps getting pushed back.

“Everything inside is ready,” Dickes said.

Kristina Swantek will be teaching about 100 children in a variety of swimming lessons offered at the pool, beginning June 10.

Courtesy Photo