After weeks of unexpected delays and a blistering weekend that had Grand Rapids residents aching for a cool dip, Richmond Park Pool is finally set to reopen. According to WOOD TV, city officials have replaced the faulty pump that was the cause of the holdup. The park pool, originally slated to open on June 6, will welcome residents starting at noon this Thursday.
The hitch in the schedule occurred when a routine pre-season inspection on May 16 revealed a pump failure, making it impossible to properly maintain the pool. In a statement obtained by WZZM 13, Laura Cleypool, the interim parks and recreation director, expressed relief at the resolution, "We’re excited to finally be able to open the pool." She also acknowledged the frustration that community members likely felt due to the delay.
Installation of a new pump and motor began on June 19, setting off a multi-day process to not only fill the pool but also to balance chemicals and pass health department tests. Crews worked through these steps, ensuring that all the necessary safety measures were ready before opening to the public.
Grand Rapids has two other public pools which were unaffected by this issue and opened as scheduled. As per a news release cited by MLive, all city pools, including Richmond Park Pool, will operate from noon to 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, and from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sundays. Residents looking to beat the heat can finally plan to include the local Richmond Park Pool in their summer leisure activities. The city ensured lifeguards and support staff were thoroughly trained before deciding to safely reopen.
Cleypool praised the community for its patience in another statement, "We’re grateful for everyone’s patience and understanding as we navigated the pump failure and replacement," as noted by MLive. As the pools stay open until August 16, Grand Rapids swimmers have ample time to make up for lost swimming days. More details on the city's pools and splash pads can be found on the Grand Rapids municipal website.
