Council considers new swimming pool
Feasibility study will be conducted to determine size
Staff reporter
Hillsboro City Council members heard a presentation Tuesday from a representative from Burbach Aquatics.
Nancy Ronto of Keystone, Colo., is the director of the western offices for Burbach.
Steve Garrett, city administrator, previously had met with David Burbach, owner of the company, regarding the city's pool.
A feasibility study will be conducted by Burbach Aquatics. The study will survey cities within a 30-mile radius of Hillsboro to determine the amount of possible use.
Demographics also will be collected. All of the information would be processed with a formula to determine the needs of the Hillsboro community.
Once the amount of surface water is determined, a cost estimate could be determined.
Burbach Aquatics has been in business for 27 years — specializing only in pools for the past 25.
Ronto said the company only does aquatic projects for municipalities, so the company is familiar with the bidding process.
"The cheapest bid is not always the best bid," said Ronto.
Ronto said she was constructing a small facility in Syracuse, Neb., population 1,700.
"They don't have the money right now for a bath house," said Ronto, "so the bath house will be done later."
There are three phases, explained Ronto, in developing a facility.
Phase one involves various tasks that take the project to phase two.
The tasks include an evaluation of the current pool facility, a feasibility study to determine the appropriate size of pool, and funding of the project.
Ronto said the smaller pools do not compete with the larger facilities stating people want to swim and socialize in their own communities.
Phase two is the design work. Ronto said there are pool contractors who follow Burbach projects.
Phase three is the construction of the facility.
"Most pools are filled through an inlet in the wall," explained Ronto. "Burbach pools fill through inlets in the floor of the pool."
All Burbach pools are heated, said Ronto. So, the pool is filled and maintained evenly through the inlets on the floor.
Gutters are completely around the pool. The chlorination system is based on demand through electronic equipment. This reduces the risk of over- or under-chlorinating the pool.
"The walls are 24" thick," said Ronto, "and the floors are a foot thick."
Ronto explained water flows from pool to gutter — not gutter to pool. She added gutters are important for swimming competitions.
"You need to make sure you have plenty of deck space around the pool," said Ronto, "to meet the community needs."
A zero depth on one end of the pool is important, said Ronto. Zero depth is a gradual decline where a swimmer can walk from the sidewalk near the pool into the pool without climbing on ladders or stepping over gutters.
"Zero depth is important for young and older swimmers who might have problems with ladders and gutters," explained Ronto.
Day-to-day daily entrance fees should offset expenses of daily operation, advised Ronto.
"New pools bring in revenue," said Ronto. A new pool is more efficient with minimal cost for maintenance in addition to the increase of revenue because it is a new facility.
"A new pool facility shows the city's investment in economic development," said Ronto. "Companies will come to Hillsboro over other communities because of the new pool."
"Hillsboro has a lot to offer, quality housing, schools, the economic advantages are numerous," Ronto emphasized.
The city's current pool is a 50-year- old metal pool that has been patched and maintained as well as can be expected.
"It doesn't make good sense to throw good money after bad money," commented Ronto.
Garrett asked if "baby pools" were still an option.
"Baby pools aren't practical," explained Ronto. "Mom is in the baby pool with the baby while an older child may be too big for the baby pool but not old enough to be in the big pool alone.
"With the zero depth concept, everyone can stay together."
Garrett asked what a common amount of electricity is used to operate a heated pool. Ronto answered once the water is heated, the temperature is easily maintained.
Delores Dalke, mayor, asked the amount of land needed for the facility. Ronto answered probably more than an acre.
"The current pool site would be too tight," said Ronto.
Dalke asked since the pool was heated, would the pool stay open longer? Ronto responded it depends on the availability of employees, if most employees are high school or college students.
Ronto said the benchmark for pools to remain open is usually 70 degrees. If the air temperature is less than 70 degrees, the pool probably should not be open.
Construction time line could be from September through May.
"Concrete can be poured during the winter months," said Ronto. The area would be heated before and after the pouring of the concrete.
