Licking swimming pool won’t reopen this year

A large leak at the Licking Aquatic Center will close the venue for the summer despite extensive efforts to fix it and reopen it

The leak is on the diving board end of the pool at Deer Lick Park. More tests are upcoming. Though water is seen, it is part of the repair process: Small pumps are running to keep the pool clean. Valves are shut off to the leaking line area to prevent water loss. A bigger pump is shutdown.

City officials said divers are scheduled to return to check a drain at the deep end of the pool, and it needs to be clear as possible for work to be performed.

Westport Pools, which is the company that built the pool initially and has done work at Houston, is in charge of finding and fixing the leak(s). They have enlisted the assistance of American Leak Detection. Small holes were drilled through the concrete decking over the pipes, then helium gas was pumped through the lines. A large leak was detected as helium gas leaked up through the holes over the damaged area. After they fix the leak, another helium test will be performed to see if there are smaller leaks.

Another nearby community, Salem, has started repairs at its pool. A liner had to be replaced after a hailstorm. Pools also are closed at Mountain Grove and Rolla due to structural issues.

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