Maintenance estimated at $4.07M

By Robbie Dingeman and Loren Moreno
Advertiser Staff Writers

It costs the city $4.07 million each year to operate 20 swimming pools across O'ahu, a number that will increase to nearly $4.4 million when the new Central O'ahu aquatic complex opens.

Terri Wada, a lifeguard with the city Department of Parks and Recreation, watches over swimmers at Manoa Valley District Park. An estimate from the department's director puts costs of operating the city's 20 swimming pools at $4.07 million each year, ranging from a low of $183,000 to $250,000. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

Costs for each pool range from a low of $183,000 per year to $250,000, though operations at the Central O'ahu complex are expected to run more than $320,000 a year.

This month's closure of the Palolo pool prompted even more questions. Charles Djou, City Council Parks Committee chairman, worried that problems plaguing the Palolo Valley District Park swimming pool are signs of problems to come for pools elsewhere.

But Chang said no. He said the original water pump, which burned out about two weeks ago, was on warranty and is being replaced at no cost to the city. The new pump has arrived and he expects the Palolo pool to reopen soon. The pool has been closed since June 13.

Chang apologized for the closing during the hot summer months, the pools' busiest season.

City Council member Barbara Marshall asked whether the city had considered charging a fee to use the pools.

Chang said officials decided against it. "Pools have always been no-charge in Hawai'i," he said.

At Makiki Community Pool, 64-year-old Makiki resident Judy Baughman said she would be lost without a pool in her community.

"It's important to a lot of people," Baughman said. "It's good for the apartment dwellers who don't have a lot of amenities or a lot of room. It's a good way for families to get out. It's even more important during the summer."

"They teach junior lifeguarding, swimming, and it's just a good way to keep kids busy," she said. "During the summer, kids have a lot of free time and it's a good way to give them something to do, relax and have fun."

She added, "I think if something like this had to close, it would be a downfall because all age groups make use of it."

Kahala's Krystal Kawabata, 11, said pools provide a break from the heat. "When it's hot, you have some place to go and cool off. Without it, I'd be kind of sad."

The only other pool planned is a public-private partnership on the Leeward Coast. Council member Gary Okino noted that the joint pool project in Wai'anae with the YMCA will cost the city a one-time sum of $1.5 million and the community organization another $1.5 million in operating costs.

"That's kind of win-win. We don't have to manage the pool," Okino said.

Djou encouraged Chang to explore other partnerships with public schools for shared use as well as other such arrangements with community organizations.

The city also pays $1,500 to $3,500 a month each to heat eight swimming pools for five months of the year.

Marshall asked whether the city was considering more energy-efficient means to heat pools in the future. She pointed out that the city fixed the aging heater at the Kailua pool instead of exploring solar heating.

Chang said other options will be considered in the future but officials wanted to move quickly this year with the repair.

"We decided to just fix what we have," he said. If they had waited to research, design and build solar, "we might have been without heat for years."

Reach Robbie Dingeman at rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2429. Reach Loren Moreno at lmoreno@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2455.