City Pool Director Sylvia Gurtowski and Bob’s Pool Service employee Claude Myers point out cracks in the bottom of the drained pool Tuesday.(The Vicksburg Post/MELANIE DUNCAN)

[05/01/02]City Pool was empty Tuesday for the first time since it opened in 1996.

To prepare for the approaching swimming season, the pool was drained and workers from Bob’s Pool Service in Jackson repaired minor cracks and scrubbed away accumulated rust stains from the pool’s bottom.

“This is the first real, heavy cleaning the pool has had,” said Sylvia Gurtowski, pool director.

In addition, the pool service will also replaster and repair a small leak in the wading pool, adjacent to the big pool.

The $1.4 million pool complex is now headed for its seventh summer and is scheduled to be open to the public by May 25.

The outdoor pool is the only public pool in Vicksburg and operates during warm months. In the past year, it has had various problems, including cracks, foundation shifts and a potential leak, which has yet to be found.

Gurtowski said the pool service’s visit Tuesday is not related to the larger problems.

“It’s mainly cosmetic work we’ve wanted done for months now,” she said. “Originally we wanted the bottom to be cleaned.

“While it’s drained, we’ll look for any problems causing suspected leaking,” she said.

Gurtowski said if no problems are detected, it will be clear the problems are underneath the pool or in the pipes.

Craig Upton, Vicksburg Parks and Recreation director, said the pool’s appearance will be improved by the repairs, which will cost about $9,000.

“There are hairline cracks and rust stains, and it looks like the bottom of the pool is dirty when in fact it’s clean it’s just stained,” he said.

While the cracks are somewhat larger along the west side of the pool, Bob’s Pool Service worker Claude Myers said they are superficial. “They’re just normal cracks,” he said. “There was no water leaking.”

Myers said although the pool’s cracks can be repaired, it’s tough to say how long they will stay that way.

The cleaning, which involves an acid wash, should be complete and the pool refilled by next week, said Upton.

“We’re going to get the fire department to fill it up with their hoses,” he said.

Gurtowski said most repairs to the pool, including foundation restructuring of the patio area and sealing any leaks, if found, will more than likely be put off until after the swimming season, which will be sometime in mid-October.

She said the pool’s problems will not hinder this year’s swimming season.

“This pool is not going anywhere it’s still swimmable,” she said.