Pahoa Pool Renovations Nearly Pau; Reopening Set for Aug. 26

A $1.5 million, eight-month-long renovation of the Pahoa Aquatic Center is nearly complete, and the county has set an Aug. 26 date for the pool’s reopening.

The project included installation of roof-mounted solar panels to help warm the pool’s water and a new pump system.

The Pahoa facility will be the third county pool being heated by the sun. The others are at the Honokaa and Konawaena high schools.

According to parks and recreation spokesman Jason Armstrong, the work included expansion of the center’s equipment building which allowed for the pumps to be installed below the pool’s water level. He said that will fix a previous circulation problem which delayed restarting of the system following power outages.

The project also included repairs of substantial leaks that further aggravated the circulation problems, as well as various other repairs and safety upgrades.

The pool was previously scheduled for reopening this month, but was delayed by bad weather and by recently discovered problems involving compliance with the electrical code.

The latter wasn’t discovered until recently, after the pumps were installed, Armstrong said in a press release.

The pool was closed for renovations on Jan. 7.

Upon reopening the pool will have new operating hours. It will be open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends.

Registration for the Novice Swim Team will be held from 3 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28, and a water aerobics class starts at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 4.

For additional pool information call Cassandra at 965-2700.