NewsLocal News

Actions

City examining heating issues at Collier Pool

Posted at 3:29 PM, Feb 21, 2019
and last updated 2019-02-21 18:33:15-05

Swimmers at Collier Pool say the newly-reconstructed pool isn’t heating right yet again. KRIS 6 first reported on the issue back in December. Now, the City has confirmed the recirculation pump breaker just isn’t working properly.

While the equipment isn’t fully working, the City says swimmers will experience some lower than average temperatures. They say it’s because of an electrical problem with the breaker.

Therese Casey, a regular lap swimmer who uses the pool twice a day, says it’s been frustrating and chilly when visiting the pool.

“There’s an icy cold, then there’s a warm cold,” said Casey. “I think after a while you just kind of get used to it or (get) numb.”

In June 2017, Collier Pool reopened after getting a $2.5 million makeover. Now, swimmers like Casey are concerned that the newly-renovated pool is not heating as it should.

“There’s been so many things that have gone wrong on this brand new pool,” said Casey. “And we want to know why is it breaking so often?”

Henry Lara, the city’s superintendent of program services, says he’s addressing the pool issues.

He and the interim director of the Parks and Recreation Department both tell KRIS 6, the pool’s equipment was new when the pool was reconstructed.

However, city engineers and electricians, who have looked into the problem, say something is tripping the breaker. Still, they aren’t able to figure out the source of the problem.

City officials say engineers are working with a contractor to look into how the equipment was installed.

In the meantime, the Parks and Recreation Department is offering to shuttle Collier Pool swimmers to the Corpus Christi Natatorium until the problem is resolved.

Swimmers at the Natatorium can also expect some lower than average temperatures.

A spokesperson for CCISD tells KRIS 6 the competition pool’s heater is not working. However, new parts have been ordered, and the facility’s staff is waiting for them to arrive. The spokesperson also says they hope to have things back to normal by next week.