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MUNICIPAL SWIMMING POOL STUDY WAHOO, NEBRASKA JANUARY, 2004 PARK BOARD MEMBERS: PRESIDENT MIKE TRANMER VICE-PRESIDENT ANN EGR BOARD MEMBERS CRAIG BREUNING
RICH CRUICKSHANK
GREG HOHL
KEN HANKE JANET JONAS BECKIE LACEY STEVE SALLENBACH
PARKS & RECREATION DIRECTOR KEVIN STUHR
JEO CONSULTING GROUP, INC. 142 W. 11TH STREET, PO BOX 207
WAHOO, NEBRASKA 68066 (402)443-4661; FAX (402)443-3508
NEBRASKA CITY, NE HASTINGS, NE NORFOLK, NE LINCOLN, NE CARROLL, IA IOWA CITY, IA NEW RICHMOND, WI
INTRODUCTION
The Wahoo Area Recreation Association (WARA) Board of the City of Wahoo, Nebraska has
retained the engineering services of JEO Consulting Group, Inc. (JEO) to perform a swimming
pool study. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the existing facility and examine the option
of building a new facility in the same location. Finally, the study provides cost estimates for
completing improvements to the existing swimming pool. This report addresses the following
areas:
Evaluate the existing main and wading swimming pool structure and piping.
Evaluate the existing bathhouse.
Provide a schematic design for a new aquatic facility with zero depth entry, diving well,
water slide(s), wading pool, and water play features.
Review the exterior Lighting.
Provide Opinion of Costs for renovating the existing facility and provide opinions of costs
for construction of a new Aquatic Facility.
Possible Funding options.
BACKGROUND AND POOL HISTORY
The pool and bathhouse are located in the City
Park at 418 East 4th Street between 4th and 5th
Street. The pool is located east of Smith Park
in Wahoo, Nebraska. The main swimming,
wading pool and bathhouse started
construction in 1952 and the pool opened July
2, 1953. The first week the attendance was
2,800 swimmers. The largest single day
attendance during this first week was 606. A
grand opening and dedication was held on
August 2nd of that year. The pool facility is
normally open from 1:00 until 8:00 P.M. from Memorial Day to mid-August.
Photo 1: View of Main Pool Area
MUNICIPAL SWIMMING POOL STUDY – WAHOO, NEBRASKA – 2004 1
A site visit was made on October 2, 2003 with Bob Graves from WARA, JEO Consulting Group,
Inc. and Associated Pool Builders to inspect the existing condition of the main pool, wading
pool, concrete deck, recirculation system, bathhouse and filter system.
The original vacuum DE filter system was replaced with a rapid sand filter system in the spring
of 2000. The new system increased the filtration rate from 400 GPM to 663 GPM to meet the
required filtration rates.
The original pool piping around the exterior walls of the pool was replaced with PVC piping in
phases by City staff approximately 10 years ago.
EXISTING CONDITIONS
POOLS The swimming pool is a ‘T’ shape with the main
body having dimensions of 82’-1/4” (25-meters)
by 40’-0” pool and a 40’-0” by 42’-1/2” diving
well on the side. The pool has water surface
area totaling 4,960 square feet and holds
approximately 200,000 gallons of water. This is
classified as a Class A pool under the current
Nebraska Department of Health and Human
Services (NDH&HS) Rules and Regulations
adopted in 1979. Under these regulations, the
current pool capacity is rated for 273 swimmers.
Park staff has stated that a high swimmer
demand occurs during certain summer days.
The pool walls are formed and poured in-place
concrete construction with an integral concrete
gutter along the perimeter. The concrete gutter
is designed to skim surface water and handle
overflow.
Photo 2: Formed concrete wall with integrated gutter system
Photo 3: Drain in the diving well
MUNICIPAL SWIMMING POOL STUDY – WAHOO, NEBRASKA – 2004 2
The diving well of the pool does meet current diving well design standards for depth only, but
not for the side slopes and general shape as required by the NDH&HS for a one-meter high (or
less) diving tower only. The current standards require a larger diving well bowl for diving
boards.
The floors in both the main pool and wading
pool have significant cracks, however, these
are not uncommon in concrete this old. The
Parks staff indicated the pool experiences
excessive leakage during the season. The staff
stated the water loss regarding actual depth is
up to six-inches (6”) per day. This loss equates
to approximately 18,000 gallons per day. This
loss increases the amount of chemical and
water usage. The water temperature also
decreases due to the need to add fresh water
daily. The decrease in water temperature
contributes to the loss in attendance.
Photo 4: Wading Pool area. Cracking can be seen in the floor of the pool area
Some of the initial leakage could be seeping
through the significant cracks. However, as the
water warms up, the concrete should expand
partially, thus closing these cracks and slowing
or stopping the minor leakage.
The wading pool is located in the northeast
corner of the site. The wading pool is 15’ by 25’
and the pool has a water surface area of 375
square feet and holds approximately 4,300
gallons of water. It shares the same piping
system and filtration system as the main pool. It has six wall inlets and a floor drain on the north
end. This wading pool is in good condition, but the pool floor has significant cracks similar to
the main pool.
Photo 5: Cracking in the floor of the main pool
MUNICIPAL SWIMMING POOL STUDY – WAHOO, NEBRASKA – 2004 3
DECKS A concrete deck surrounds the main pool and wading pool. The deck between the main pool and
the bathhouse is 15 feet wide. The current NDH&HS rule requires a minimum deck width of
eight feet between the pool and any fence or buildings. Only the deck north of the diving well
does not meet these width requirements.
Portions of the deck have been removed and replaced in order to repair the piping and/or to
repair damaged areas. In these areas, the concrete is generally uniform in grade or texture. The
decks around the wading pool are seven to eight feet in width. Most of the decks slope towards
the pool, which does not meet current standards. New standards require all of the deck to slope
away from the pool.
A five-foot high chain link fence surrounding the pool area is in fairly good condition and is not
in need of major repair. There is a gate in the fencing between the main pool and the wading
pool. There is a six-foot high fence around two sides of the filtration equipment.
The lifeguard chairs are of a modern stainless
steel construction and appear to have been
replaced in recent years. However, some of the
ladders appear to be original equipment while
some have been replaced with modern stainless
steel type equipment.
The diving tower has been temporarily
removed. This removal is due to a breakage
that occurred about two weeks before the season e
Two slides are normally used during the summer
used at the indoor pool at the Civic Center after
slide is permanent and has a platform height o
approximately three years ago.
MUNICIPAL SWIMMING POOL STUDY – WAHOO, NEBRASKA
Photo 6: Permanent Slide
nded.
swimming season. One slide is portable and is
the outdoor season has concluded. The other
f six feet, is deck mounted and was installed
– 2004 4
FILTER AND PUMP The original pool pump and multi-cell rapid
vacuum DE filter was replaced in 2000. The
current filter is a single-cell, 90” diameter, and
vertical high rate sand filter manufactured by
Swimtime. The pump has the capacity to
pump water at a rate of 663 gallons per minute.
The pump and filter combination provide the
required filtration rate of 15 gallons per square
foot of filter surface area. The normal working
pressure of the filter is 50 pounds per square
inch. The pump provides an approximate turnover rate of six-hours in the main pool. This does
meet the required turnover rate of six-hours set by the NDH&HS. The water clarity produced by
the filter is good and meets required standards.
Photo 7: Filter and Pumping Equipment
RECIRCULATION PIPING The recirculation piping pool consists of PVC
(plastic) piping under the deck from the
perimeter overflow gutter drains and main drain
to the suction end of the pump. Discharge piping
from the filter enters the pool through PVC
piping located along the perimeter of the pool
under the deck. Wall inlets are located
periodically along the interior pool wall to
return the water to the pool. One of the
inlets broke off at the pool wall this past
season and is probably a major source of
the pool leakage. The gutter and inlet
piping has been replaced 10 years ago and
probably has had some other failures
recently. City personnel indicated possible
failures of this piping were still occurring
during the October site visit.
MUNICIPAL SWIMMING POOL STUDY – WAHOO, NEBRASKA – 2
Photo 8: Broken Wall inlet
Photo 9: Wall inlet in good condition
004 5
DISINFECTION AND CHEMICAL CONTROL
The pools also share the existing disinfection system. The pool system has two metering pumps
that pump either chlorine or acid solutions to the filtered water. Liquid chlorine solution is used
to control pathogens such as bacteria in the pool water. The acid solutions are used to help
control the pH, which is a measure of the acid-alkalinity balance of the water. If the water is too
acidic, it will corrode metal equipment and cause skin irritations. If the water is too high in
alkaline, it can cause scaling on the pool surface, plumbing equipment and cloud the water.
The chlorinated water is then passed back into the recirculation piping and introduced into the
pool. Each unit is capable of feeding 108 gallons of chemicals per day. The disinfection systems
for the pools meet the current NDH&HS standards. Regular water testing by the pool manager
indicates these systems are working properly. The original outside access restrooms on the
northeast corner of the bathhouse were converted to the chemical feed room when the filter was
replaced in 2000.
LIGHTING The exterior overhead lighting and poles appears to be the original equipment. The lighting
probably does not meet the current standards for bonding (grounding) grid requirements to the
pool reinforcing and filter pump system. Some additional grounding was completed when the
original piping was replaced. It also appears not to meet the current lighting standards for
illumination of the water surface for
nighttime swimming, although no foot-
candle meter was used during any site visit.
A standard of 50 foot-candles of
illumination is required on the water
surface and 100 foot-candles are required
on the deck. BATHHOUSE The 28’-8” by 64’-0” bathhouse was
constructed with the pool in 1952. There
are two separate dressing areas for male Photo 10: Front Elevation of Bathhouse
MUNICIPAL SWIMMING POOL STUDY – WAHOO, NEBRASKA – 2004 6
and female patrons. Each room has a private dressing area, lavatories, showers, water closets,
urinals, and lighting.
Between the dressing rooms is the admission area used by the pool personnel for checking
clothes and lobby. Two separate outside access restrooms at the northeast and northwest corners
of the bathhouse were also built to allow access to the public without entering through the
bathhouse. As previously stated, the northeast restroom was converted to a chemical feed room.
The northwest restroom is not in service and is used for storage. The bathhouse was originally
built with a flat roof. A sloped roof was added over the flat roof with the original roofing
material being removed.
This bathhouse has a capacity of 150 patrons but the pool has a capacity of 273 patrons
according to current NDH&HS design standards for a Class A pool.
OPERATING COSTS The last four years of income and expenses for the pool facility are shown below for information
only.
Year Income (Dollars) Expenses (Dollars)1 Difference
2000 14,806 28,456 -13,653
2001 11,406 31,550 -20,144
2002 13,149 34,634 -21,485
2003 12,581 36,380 -23,799 1 Expenses include salaries, taxes, repairs, maintenance, supplies, utilities, etc. 1 Expenses also included a new PA microphone, pool paint, pool vacuum repairs and a new ball valve.
SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENTS TO THE POOL Based on the site investigations and previous experience with aging swimming pool complexes,
JEO offers the following observations, comments and suggestions. These suggested
improvements should be carried out to extend the life of Wahoo’s Municipal Swimming Pool.
POOL STRUCTURE The City staff has repaired and maintained the 51-year-old pool structure very aggressively. As
stated before the structure appears to be in good condition, but has several cracks in the floors
and walls. These cracks may be partially responsible for some of the water loss at the pool. The
MUNICIPAL SWIMMING POOL STUDY – WAHOO, NEBRASKA – 2004 7
pool appears to have been properly caulked and painted in the past, which lessens the loss of
water. The existing pool structure does not show immediate signs of failure. Recommendation:
The existing structure could be plastered or gunited to improve the water holding capabilities.
The maximum depth area in the diving well is 11-feet directly above the main drain. This meets
the requirement for depth; however, the shape of the diving well is noncompliant. The
NDH&HS standards require a specified clearance between the diving towers and specific
dimensions from the end of the board to the pool edge, water surface and pool bottom.
Recommendation: It is our recommendation that a diving tower/board of any height not be re-
installed. DECK AND DECK EQUIPMENT Portions of the original concrete deck have been replaced over the years. These areas were
located where piping was repaired or where the deck cracked or buckled. The different finish
and color of the deck sections is not aesthetically pleasing. The existing deck slopes towards the
pool, which is not permitted by the NDH&HS standards. The NDH&HS standards also require
that the decks are accessible with a standard 50-foot section of hose for washing and the pool
meets those standards.
The existing fencing, although of adequate height and shape, could be replaced with vinyl-coated
chain link fencing. The one-meter and three-meter diving towers have been removed and should
not be reinstalled. Some of the pool ladders also appear to be original deck equipment. The
remaining pool ladders and lifeguard chairs have been replaced with stainless steel deck
equipment.
FILTER AND PUMP The existing 90-inch diameter rapid sand filter and filter pump has been performing adequately
for three years. Recommendation: No improvements are recommended at this time.
RECIRCULATION PIPING The original gravity suction piping from the gutter drains is still being used. Problems
encountered by the pool staff over recent years have indicated failures in the piping. Pressure
testing of this line would most likely confirm this. As previously mentioned, the inlet piping is
likely to be contributing to the leakage problems.
MUNICIPAL SWIMMING POOL STUDY – WAHOO, NEBRASKA – 2004 8
RECOMMENDATION
OPTION 1
One option for correcting this problem would be to remove the deck around the perimeter of the
pool and replace the gutter drain piping with PVC pipe. The new deck could then be sloped
away from the pool or to deck or trench drains. The deck or trench drains would be installed in
the new concrete and drain to the outside of the fencing or to storm sewer. The main drawback
of this option is the requirement for the new recirculation piping to be buried under the concrete
deck as done originally. Since this recirculation piping will be filled and drained yearly it will be
subject to movement (expansion and contraction) from temperature changes. Various types of
restraints have been used to reduce this movement but nothing can eliminate the potential
problem. When the piping does eventually fail, the concrete deck must be torn out to make
repairs.
OPTION 2
Another option is to install a new perimeter overflow system to replace the existing concrete
gutter, cast iron suction piping and PVC inlet piping system. A typical perimeter overflow
typically consists of a stainless steel gutter recirculation system which requires a single return
(inlet) line from the filter discharge to the gutter system, and two or three suction pipes (outlet)
from the gutter to the suction end of the pump. The inlet piping is an internal part of the stainless
steel gutter system, which supplies water to the pool with minimal piping required. This option
requires very little underground piping. Buried pool piping has a history of failures, requiring
replacement and reconstruction. Stainless steel gutters are simpler, attractive and require less
maintenance.
Perimeter overflow systems such as this require surge protection and continuous surface
skimming. The normal water level would be about 2 to 3 inches below the lip of the proposed
gutter to provide for the surge capacity within the pool. Skimmers built into the gutter would
provide continuous surface skimming.
The existing concrete wall would be sawn off horizontally and the stainless steel gutter attached
to the wall. The height of the gutter and water surface would be raised to provide deck drainage
away from the pool. The area between the stainless steel gutter and the existing concrete wall
MUNICIPAL SWIMMING POOL STUDY – WAHOO, NEBRASKA – 2004 9
would be filled with non-shrink grout. Deck drains would need to be installed between the
bathhouse and the main pool.
DISINFECTION AND CHEMICAL CONTROL The existing disinfection systems have supplied the pools with clean; well-treated water for years
and no replacement is warranted at this time.
LIGHTING The existing exterior pool lighting system does not meet certain current standards as required by
the NDH&HS and the State Electrical Department. A bonding grid is required that creates a
bond between the fencing, the steel reinforcing in the decks, the deck equipment and stainless
steel gutter system (if installed) to the pool pumping equipment in order to ground the entire
system. Recommendation: The electrical system and outdoor lighting should be brought up to
current codes and meet the current foot-candles at the water surface.
BATHHOUSE The existing bathhouse does not meet current ADA requirements because of the number of
required fixtures (toilets, urinals, sinks and showers) does not appear to meet requirements for
the current pool bather loading. Some of the fixtures are in need of replacement because of
normal wear. Showers have dual control valves that are not allowed with the current regulations.
Showers must be a single lever control with the water temperature already mixed a central
location. This prohibits the possibility of scalding. Outside wall concrete blocks are missing in
places and doorframes along with the doors need to be replaced.
MUNICIPAL SWIMMING POOL STUDY – WAHOO, NEBRASKA
Photo 11: Cracked Urinal
Photo 12: Outside Wall of Bathhouse– 2004 10
SUMMARY OF EXISTING CONDITIONS
Water loss is a major problem in the current pool. The need to considerable fresh water daily
decreases the desired swimming pool temperature and adds to the chemical cost and operational
costs to run the pool. Testing of the existing piping was not done for this study. The test would
not pinpoint the area(s) that leak, however this would confirm a leakage problem. WARA staff
also monitored the water loss without the filtration system operating after this pool season.
Results showed that water loss from the pool basin or tub was evident through the pool walls and
floor. The layout of the existing pool along with the water depths does not promote fun leisure
swimming activities.
The lighting and bathhouse both require improvements to bring them up to current NH&HS
standards. Filtration equipment and disinfection system is relatively new and does not require
any improvements. For information purposes the filter project cost was $ 67,500 which did not
include the in-kind labor and materials provided by the City personnel. With the in-kind costs
included the overall project cost would equal $100,000. The bathhouse and pool also do not meet
current ADA requirements. Both could be possibly be renovated to meet current standards but
the City would still have a fifty year old facility that does not promote fun leisure swimming.
An existing plan showing the layout of the pool site is shown at the back on sheet C1.1.
MUNICIPAL SWIMMING POOL STUDY – WAHOO, NEBRASKA – 2004 11
RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS
According to recent A.C.Neilsen studies, swimming is the most popular leisure time activity in
the United States with 54 percent of the population participating annually. Most traditional
public pools are generally poorly attended, are not being used by adults, and have limited family
participation. They normally offer limited opportunities for the user other than sitting in the sun
or standing in the water. Little swimming or water activity actually takes place. When it does,
the user is participating in a crowded atmosphere which detracts from their leisurely enjoyment
of the activity.
The Wahoo municipal swimming pool has exceeded its predicted lifespan and has almost
reached the end of its useful life. If renovations are made to the existing pool or a new aquatic
pool is constructed, then both need to provide new elements to attract users, which include:
Provide a pool that meets current swimming pool standards
Provide improved toddler area designed for safety and comfort.
Provide shaded areas from extended exposure to the sun for those seeking such areas.
Provide a waterworks area especially designed for children and young adults.
Provide a vastly improved bathhouse that meets ADA requirements and includes family
dressing areas.
The current standards were adopted in 1979 by the NDH&HS and are still in effect at the time of
this study. The NDH&HS are in the process of reviewing, upgrading or revising the current
guidelines at this time. Plans are to have further public meetings prior to finalizing and adopting
the new guidelines. Before the City of Wahoo finalizes any improvement plans the
guidelines/standards may change depending on timing and adoption of the new guidelines.
OPTIONS One option is to close the facility. JEO does not seriously consider this because it believes the
existing pool is too important to the community.
Another option is to continue making annual repairs and attempt to reduce the water loss in the
existing pool.
MUNICIPAL SWIMMING POOL STUDY – WAHOO, NEBRASKA – 2004 12
A third option is to renovate the existing pool facility. This option is not preferred because it
would be expensive and does not avoid old equipment failures in areas that were not replaced.
The pool and bathhouse still would not be handicapped accessible and/or meet ADA
requirements.
A fourth option is to build a new aquatic facility. This probably would be preferred because the
new facility would attract more users and generate more revenue. This could also lead to more
urban growth for the City of Wahoo.
The next step for the City should be to pursue financing options. JEO could assist in pursuing
grant and/or loan money from state and federal agencies. We would also appreciate the
opportunity to design any improvements that the City decides to pursue. JEO’s years of
experience with designing new swimming pool complexes and renovating existing facilities
make our staff well suited to meet the City’s wants and needs and to do the job right.
MUNICIPAL SWIMMING POOL STUDY – WAHOO, NEBRASKA – 2004 13
ESTIMATED PROJECT COSTS Funding for the proposed improvements could come from city budgeted money, bond election
(sales tax or general tax) grants, loans, donations or any combination of these.
The cost estimates in this section are based upon similar projects that JEO has been or is
associated within recent years. These costs should be considered good for a one-year period.
Included in these cost estimates are contingencies, engineering, administration and legal fees.
Engineering and construction costs for renovations are slightly higher than new designs because
unforeseen conditions that are often encountered during construction.
A cost estimate for all four options is as follows:
Option 1 – Close the pool No cost estimate
Option 2 – Make annual repairs $ 5,000 to $10,000 a year
Option 3 – Renovation of the existing facility See breakdown below
a. Install PVC liner to the main pool $ 55,000 to 120,000
b. Install Shotcrete pool liner w/mesh and paint $ 195,000 to 215,000
c. Remove and Replace perimeter piping
including new decks w/drains around the pool $ 200,000 to 250,000
d. Renovate the bathhouse to meet ADA requirements $ 215,000 to 285,000
e. Install Stainless Steel Gutter $ 150,000 to 170,000
We would recommend that under Option 3-‘Renovation of the Existing Facilities’ that items a, d
and e be completed for an estimated total project costs of $ 420,000 to $ 600,000. This should
bring the facility up to the current Health Department standards. Any additional renovations to
upgrade the existing pool and bathhouse required to meet the proposed new Health Department
standards may increase these costs by an additional 10 – 20 percent.
Option 4 – Build New Facility See breakdown below
a. Main and Wading Pools w/decks $ 930,00 to 1,300,000
b. Bathhouse $ 325,000 to 470,000
c. Slide $ 1,100 per foot
We feel a facility as shown on plan sheet C1.1b that includes two diving stands, waterslide,
provisions for racing lanes, wading pool, concession area, and a bathhouse would cost between
1.3 and 1.9 million dollars. A new pool and bathhouse appears to be able to construct on the
same site as the existing pool and would have a capacity of 325 patrons.
MUNICIPAL SWIMMING POOL STUDY – WAHOO, NEBRASKA – 2004 14