Empty dreams

(Top) Increasing costs for excessive repairs forced management to close the pool at Team Fitness. (Right) Exposed electrical hazards are one of many repairs needed at the facility. Perched above the empty swimming pool at Team Fitness rests the final straw on a heap of problems plaguing the facility.

Although the recently deceased dehumidifier forced Team Fitness owner Mike Liberato and building owner Brett Olson to officially close the pool, the blame doesn’t rest solely on its rusty, corroded back.

Olson, who purchased the former Sports Club facility two years ago, called it “a tired building that needs TLC.”

Years of improper maintenance and neglect by the previous owner have snowballed into some serious problems, said Olson.

Closing the pool is a “huge hiccup,” he said. “The community deserves something to go to.”

Olson said he and Liberato are working together on common goals to upgrade the building.

PHOTOS BY ADAM STEWART | STANWOOD/CAMANO NEWS “We’d like to squash the rumors,” he said. “We’re not going to leave.”

If repairs to the pool area are not feasible, current plans call for covering the pool with a suspension floor to provide more room for cardio equipment and weight machines.

The decision to close the pool was difficult, but it’s a costly facility, said Olson.

In addition to replacing the dehumidifier, estimated at $275,000, portions of the pool need to be resealed and the room’s interior walls require new paint.

According to Tina Meyer, pool maintenance operator and swimming lesson coordinator for Team Fitness, commercial pool dehumidifiers are expensive because they are custom made to accommodate specific needs of the building.

“The Dectron system does more than just keep the air healthy. It also heats water for the pool in an exchange system,” said Meyer.

Meyer said the system received no annual maintenance in 15 years and any repairs were simply bandaid fixes.

“There is corrosion and rust throughout the equipment,” she said. “Past owners didn’t keep anything maintained.”

She estimates it would take a minimum of 18 weeks to have a new dehumidifier made and installed. However, problems with electrical work and issues with the roof would also have to be addressed prior to installing a new machine adding another $200,000 to the bill.

Meyer worked with staff at Team Fitness to get bids on various projects. An itemized list of necessary repairs will be presented to the community during meetings today at the facility at noon and 6 p.m. “Our intention is to get ideas and feedback from the community,” said Shawna Macauley, assistant manager of Team Fitness. “We are hoping to generate solutions.”

Macauley said she has been in contact with the Stanwood High School (SHS) swim team coaches and directors of the Steelhead Swim Team who rely on the facility to run their programs.

Spartan swim team cocoach Art Wiper said if the closure comes to pass, it would be devastating.

“It’s the only facility conducive to our program,” said Wiper. “We need a pool that size.” Wiper and fellow coach Rita Brennan met with students and parents on Wednesday to discuss options for the future of swimming at SHS.

“Every idea has to be thrown on the table,” said Wiper, “not only for SHS, but also for the community club program, summer lessons and senior groups. It’s a big loss for everybody.”

Steve Jenkins, managing director for the Steelhead Swim Team, said the ideal situation would be to get the pool operational.

He said the lesson programs through Team Fitness, the Steelhead Swim Team and the Spartan program have developed a great partnership over the years.

If the SHS teams are eliminated, Jenkins fears the Steelhead program may not survive.

“Many of our swimmers aspire to compete at the high school level,” he said.

Without that goal, Jenkins is concerned about his program.

Both Wiper and Jenkins are looking at alternative sites for their teams to compete; however, no firm decisions have been made.

“At this point, I don’t know what is going to happen,” said Wiper.

Specific regulations for pool length and depth, as well as features such as diving blocks and lane lines need to be met for an alternative site to work.

Even if a facility is secured, Wiper worries that transportation costs will exceed the program’s budget.

For Meyer, the thought of losing the pool is hard to take, but safety is her primary concern. As it stands, the building and equipment are not safe for staff or swimmers. She hopes user groups recognize the problems and options before jumping to conclusions.

If funding were available, making the upgrades would be the best decision for the community, said Meyer.

Olson realizes the impact of the pending closure, but is optimistic about the facility’s future.

“Fixing the pool area is a large piece of the puzzle,” he said. “Hopefully, down the road, we’ll get it going.”

Staff Reporter Adam Stewart: 629-8066 ext. 115 or astewart@scnews.com.