Purcell to keep pool closed this year

PURCELL — Hopes for opening the Purcell swimming pool this summer are down the drain, while the city’s fireworks show remains up in the air.

Purcell City Council voted Monday to keep the community pool at Chandler Park closed this year because it doesn’t comply with new federal regulations for public pools.

The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Safety Act, which took effect in December, requires public pools to have one or more approved devices that prevent swimmers from getting trapped in suction drains.

"It would cost more than $40,000 to bring us into compliance, and we just can’t do it this year,” said City Clerk Shauna Long.

The community pool, which Long said is about 40 years old, was closed for much of last summer because of leakage and other problems.

Long said it’s an unfortunate situation because the pool is one of the city’s few recreational areas for children on summer break.

Meanwhile, the city council will decide next month whether the city can afford to stage a July 4 fireworks show this year.

The event costs about $13,000, and the council is considering ways to save money in a tight budget.

Earlier in the meeting, the council elected David Lee as mayor and Randy Hadley as vice mayor, succeeding Betty Gerhard and Glen Nimmo, respectively.

Lee is beginning his second term on the council and Hadley is a longtime council member who has been vice mayor before.

The council’s next regularly scheduled meeting is June 1.