McHenry OKs $73K to replace pool liner at Merkel Aquatic Center

The McHenry City Council has agreed to spend $72,865 to replace the pool liner at Merkel Aquatic Center.

The PVC pool liner was last replaced in 2001 and typically has a lifespan between 12 years and 15 years. The replacement was put off as the city presented a referendum during the November election, which asked voters to replace the entire facility.

The pool itself is more than 30 years old and nearing the end of its useful life, Parks and Recreation Director Bill Hobson said at the time. He said the pool would require “costly upgrades” in the coming years to stay open.

Over this past summer, city staff documented numerous issues with the pool including two large patches that had been used to repair the pool liner in previous years, deteriorating swim safety lines which will have to be repainted each spring, rips and tears in the liner near the pool stairs and ladders around the deck, visible water bubbles between the liner and the concrete wall and a one to two inch per night water loss and increased chemical consumption, Hobson said in a memo to the council.

Indiana-based RenoSys completed the 2001 pool liner installation and provided the lowest quote for the current project, according to city documents.

“Two other vendors in the area that do commercial liners were also contacted,” Hobson said. “Most local vendors specialize in residential pool replacement and lack the resources to do a commercial pool the size of Merkel Aquatic Center.”

Voters in November defeated the parks and recreation referendum that asked voters to allow the city to take out up to $30 million in bonds to expand the McHenry Recreation Center – which would include an indoor pool – and create a family aquatic center in the city.

About 60% of voters were against the request, which could have added about $180 in annual property taxes to a homeowner with a $168,000 home.