Hantsport pool stays open for summer

The Town of Hantsport has opted to hold off on finding and repairing a major pool leak until the summer season ends. Costs to drain the pool would exceed topping it up each day.

Recreation director Nichole Lutz says town staff is now quite certain the loss of water is due to two bad joints in pipes at the corners of the pool, but nothing is known for certain.

The cause of the leak won’t be known for sure until the area is dug up this fall, Lutz said. “We’re waiting so work doesn’t interrupt summer programs and operations at the pool.”

As it stands, about 5,000 gallons, or six inches, of water is going missing from the pool each day. Staff first noticed substantial water losses when the pool was filled in late June.

Mayor Wayne Folker says at this point the costs to drain the pool before the summer season ends, which equates to about 90 days of refilling the six inches per day, makes it pointless to drain the pool now because there is only about a month of this summer left.

“Therefore, we’ve decided to leave it open and suffer the losses each day,” Folker said. “It’s unfortunate but we’re glad to keep it open for kids to enjoy the rest of the season.”

However, in the fall it will be worth checking and fixing the problem area, Folker said. “Considering the age of the pool, and it’s about 53 years old, it is in pretty good shape.”

Hantsport CAO Jeff Lawrence noted at the last council meeting it costs about $25 a day to top off the water being lost at the pool. “And, we keep saying six inches of water, but a couple inches lost is likely just kids splashing around… The pool is filled to the gutters.”