Swimming Pool Gets Safety Upgrade
By SCOTT McCLOSKEYWith the summer swimming season just weeks away, Benwood city officials are making all the necessary upgrades to their city park's pool.
Most importantly, they said, is the updating of its drainage system with new special drain covers and a secondary vacuum release system.
"We are upgrading the swimming pools to meet the requirements of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, which is a federal requirement for all pools and spas," said Don Fragale, utilities superintendent for the city.
The act which went into effect Dec. 20, 2008, promotes safe use of pools, spas, and hot tubs by imposing mandatory federal requirements for suction entrapment avoidance.
Fragale said if the drain with the new system would get blocked by something, the power to the pump will automatically turn off.
Fragale said he attended a special seminar in St. Clairsville in February, sponsored by Ohio Valley Chemical, that reviewed the law about public swimming pools. The presentation, given by Mark Cristallini, an instructor with the National Swimming Pool Foundation, included the basic requirements and specific guidelines that all commercial pools across the United States must now follow.
Benwood Mayor Ed Kuca said it is federally required now that the city install these new filter covers in the swimming pool.
He said for the safety of those using the pool, the city needed to invest the money into the new safety features.
Kuca added they are making other improvements at the pool facility which was built in 1973, such as painting the poolhouse and replacing the rubber flooring.
"There are a lot of family activities at this park. This park is our pride and joy," Kuca said. "We just want to keep the proper safety drainage and vacuum system."
Kuca said Benwood city officials take a lot of pride in their city park and they are always looking for new ways to improve things at the park.
"A year doesn't go by without us making updates to the park," he noted.
He said their next project is to replace the old lighting system at the baseball field by investing into a more cost efficient system that puts out more light.
