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City closes PCB-contaminated pools

Date: 5/22/2015

CHICOPEE – An additional problem has been found in the city’s pools that will prevent most of them from opening this year.

Mayor Richard Kos explained to Reminder Publications that during the course of analyzing the repair needs of municipal pools PCBs were discovered.

Kos explained the city must now not only repair the pools for leaking water and other problems, but must also remove the source of the chemical that has hazardous health issues.

In an official announcement made on May 19, Kos said, “This is a surprise to us. This type of analysis had never been done. We were looking forward to making the necessary repairs to open our pools this summer, so this is a huge disappointment.”

The issue affects the Fairview, Ray Ashe and Szot Park pools.

Kos said it’s possible the chemical was in the original chalk that was used to seal the joints of the pools.

Only the Rivers pool will be open this summer and Kos added he would open the pools at Chicopee High School and Chicopee Comprehensive High School to help meet the demand for swimming. He is adding $125,000 for summer programming and to pay for janitors to allow the two high school pools to open.

Kos also said city officials are looking at other alternatives to the pools for some cooling recreational activities.

“We are exploring all options available to provide services to our residents in light of losing these pools for this summer,” he said.

He declined to guess at how much the removal of the PCBs will cost as the city is now looking for estimates and then going out to bid.

Repairing and renovating a municipal pool is not inexpensive and Kos noted the state spent $1.6 million at the pool it operates on Meadow Street.

According to information provided by the Mayor’s Office, the City Council approved $173,000 for a complete analysis of the pools, plus $240,000 for necessary repairs. Some of the $240,000 will be used to make planned repairs at Rivers Pool in preparation for its opening in July. The rest of the fund will not be used until city officials make a determination on the next course of action for the contaminated pools.

Assistant Managing Editor Chris Maza contributed to this report.