Augusta aquatics middle closed to members whereas paying group continues to swim

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Aquatics Center has been closed to the general public for almost a month over what metropolis officers name a security system difficulty, however a paying group continues to make use of the pool.

The facility, a 50-meter lengthy course pool constructed for the 1996 Olympics, was closed April 15. Parks and Recreation posted the aquatics middle would stay closed till additional discover, citing a facility system difficulty requiring service and inspection.

Ingold stated the pool is the one lengthy course pool within the CSRA space. Her staff is a program of Augusta Parks and Recreation. Last weekend, the staff introduced house {hardware} at nationals, together with a nationwide champion within the 100 breast and 200 breast.

Swimmers search solutions

Swimmers pushed metropolis officers and elected leaders for solutions. One e mail to metropolis officers stated seven staff members had been heading to the U.S. Masters Swimming Nationals and had been coaching for 2 years.

Director Tameka Williams wrote that the fireplace alarm system can’t present efficient monitoring or security notification, and the ability can’t function with out the fireplace alarm system working correctly or having a fireplace marshal current.

Private group continues swimming

Three weeks after the closure was posted, swimmers had been noticed coming and going and within the pool. A fireplace division officer was current, getting paid for particular obligation.

“So the pool is open for private events as long as the event host pays for a fire marshal to be on deck,” Ingold stated.

The metropolis has an settlement with the Augusta-Aiken Swim League that features renting swimming lanes. Billing information present the league paid Parks and Recreation over $44,000 thus far this yr, together with a cost for particular obligation from the fireplace division.

The price to hire a fireplace marshal is $50 per hour with a minimal requirement of three hours for every task.

“It’s not open to us because we are a member of the parks district and we are just not part of that group,” Ingold stated. “It’s frustrating.”

Ingold’s staff pays Parks and Recreation for a membership on the aquatics middle.

“The community of swimmers is lost without their pool,” Ingold stated. “It’s their main way of maintaining physical and mental health.”

The administrator’s workplace didn’t reply to requests for an interview.