Leaking Pool Liner Will Be Replaced

WAITSBURG – After more than a year spent researching the best and most affordable solution, the leaking liner on the Waitsburg City Pool will finally be replaced. At its March 26 meeting, Waitsburg's City Council voted to replace the current liner with a special, high-build epoxy pool paint that will save tens of thousands over installing a new vinyl liner.

City Administrator Randy Hinchliffe said that there has been a slow leak in the shallow end of the pool for about two years. He said the leak causes the pool to use twice as much heat and chlorine as it should to remain operational during the swim season.

Estimates on replacing the liner with a similar product resulted in severe case of sticker shock. Initial estimates brought before the city council ranged from $60,000-$70,000. Not only that, but it was impossible to find a local experienced installer.

Hinchliffe began looking at other options and discovered a spray-in liner – much like those used in truck beds – that would run closer to $50,000. The Epoxy Pool and Fountain Paint should cost about $10,000. He also spoke with city staff in Athena, which uses the same type of product on its city pool. "The only negative they had is that it's hard to get off once you put it on," he told the council.

The paint will be purchased from Rodda Paint in Walla Walla, and they will oversee the application. The council approved hiring a prison crew to tear out the old liner and prep the pool. The paint must be applied to a sound surface, and the condition of the pool underneath the vinyl liner is somewhat of an unknown.

"As long as there are no major structural issues we should be okay. There are probably lots of layers of paint that may need to be sanded down though," said Hinchliffe. The council approved starting on the project as soon as the weather allows to avoid delaying the early June opening date for the pool.

The cost of the project will be carved out of the existing city budget, but Hinchliffe said donations toward the project are always welcome.