Swimmers in Lewiston can look forward to a revitalized Bert Lipps Pool this summer, following a unanimous decision by the Lewiston City Council to approve a $294,469 agreement with W.M. & Associates, also known as WMS Aquatics. This agreement will facilitate the installation of a new liner, an essential step toward reopening the pool, with a projected completion date of no later than June 29, 2024.
According to Justin Glenn, the director of Lewiston Parks & Recreation, the timeline is optimistic due to the dependence of liner installations on weather conditions. “We’re going to have to play that game a little bit,” he noted. “The goal is to get water in that pool and have a party sometime this summer.” The newly installed liner is expected to last between 20 to 25 years and comes with a one-year warranty, alongside an extended warranty for the liner itself.
Community Support and Future Plans
In addition to the main pool, a new liner will also be installed at the adjacent wading pool. City councilors expressed their appreciation for Glenn’s efforts in bringing the project to fruition. “I want to thank you for pushing this through,” said Councilor John Spickelmire. “I’m glad we’re getting it rolling.” Councilor Kassee Forsmann echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the community’s attachment to the pool and commending Glenn and his staff for their thorough investigation into the pool’s condition.
Looking ahead, Glenn plans to present the council with a list of additional projects aimed at enhancing safety and modernizing Bert Lipps Pool, which are crucial steps needed for its reopening. When Glenn assumed his role in June, the future of the pool was uncertain, despite its popularity as a summer recreational destination.
Challenges and Investigations
City staff had previously assessed the pool as having deteriorated beyond repair, estimating replacement costs between $2 million and $3 million. Built in 1947, Bert Lipps Pool was closed in 2023 after just one day of operation due to significant leaks of 70,000 to 90,000 gallons of water per day, the cause of which was initially unclear.
In response to community feedback, Glenn revisited the pool’s condition alongside city employees and a third-party pool consultant. Their review included evaporation and leakage monitoring tests, as well as comprehensive visual inspections of the pool, its plumbing, and operational equipment. These inspections determined that the vessel of Bert Lipps Pool was structurally sound, with surface leaks that could be remedied by the new liner. Furthermore, city employees discovered that water from burst irrigation pipes at nearby Fenton Gym had infiltrated beneath the pool, but those pipes have since been repaired.
As preparations continue, the revitalization of Bert Lipps Pool represents not only a significant investment in community recreation but also a commitment to ensuring the facility remains a cherished destination for years to come.
