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Last updated on Friday, April 6, 2012
(BLOOMFIELD) - The Bloomfield Town Council decided Wednesday night to use an out-of-town engineering firm to see if Bloomfield Town Pool meets requirements of the Indiana Swimming Pool Code.
Sabrina Westfall, of Greene County Daily World, reports Council President Eric Harrah said he was informed during his second term on the council in 2007 of an issue with the pool's wall, which caused it to bow inward toward the water.
An April 2007 report by Indianapolis engineering firm Wolfe Technical Services deemed the pool unsafe and stated it did not meet the state code.
The pool was closed for the summer of 2007. When the new council took office in 2008, a pool committee was formed, repairs were made and it was re-opened.
"It would be easy to act on the issue based on this report, but that wouldn't be fair to the people who have done work to the pool," Harrah noted.
Councilman Dave Harding noted the council should have an engineering firm without "huge Bloomfield connections" in order to get an unbiased opinion.
Attorney Luke Rudisell added the town should seek out another engineering firm other than Wolfe's to get a second opinion. He noted the town should provide the original report to the engineering firm they choose, as well as a list of repairs made.
"We would really like to see an engineering report that says it (the pool) is fine," Harding said.
Harrah also added, based on a new federal law, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) will require pools to have some sort of ramp or lift for those who are disabled.
If the ramps are not implemented during the time allotted, which has not been set at the federal level yet, the town could face up to a $100,000 fine. Originally slated for a 2012 deadline, that timeframe has now been extended.
"That is a totally different issue, though," Harding noted.
The council hopes to have the pool looked at soon, so if it is deemed safe there is enough time to prepare it for the summer opening.
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