UPDATE 2/3
On Feb. 2, city officials issued a news release stating the pool will be closed through early April (and possibly longer) while Montgomery County Public Schools issues a Request For Proposal to complete a structural assessment and corrective action plan.
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City officials closed the Gaithersburg Aquatic Center, located at 2 Teachers Way (a joint facility co-owned by Montgomery County Public Schools and operated by the city of Gaithersburg) on Jan. 25 after city staff discovered cracks in perimeter support wall columns during a routine maintenance check.
Structural engineers are being called in to determine the building’s integrity, officials said.
“Montgomery County Public Schools are contracting to have independent structural engineers inspect the Gaithersburg Aquatic Center,” said Michele Potter, parks and recreation and culture director. “We’ll have more detail once that evaluation is concluded. MCPS has initially indicated this report may be available in approximately a week or two.”
It was on Jan. 25 when the city’s planning and code staff and a contracted structural engineer met on site and agreed the building, which was constructed in 1976, needed to be closed to the public until more information could be obtained.
Two days later, city officials said the pool would remain closed thru Feb. 19 to allow for a complete assessment and officials announced all lessons during that period are canceled.
“Cancelations … include swim lessons, lifeguard training, swim teams and meet, water exercise and a swim clinic,” said Potter.
According to Potter, the current membership at the pool is 100 with a weekly attendance of 215 swimmers.
She said the city of Gaithersburg is notifying the public of the closing by posting information on its website, Facebook page and email lists.
“Customers who have signed up to receive the Aquatics Division Email Newsletter (enroll by emailing aquatics@gaithersburgmd.gov) will receive updates via email as more information becomes available,” Potter said. “City staff members are making phone calls to inform customers registered in programs about schedule alterations and make-up dates. Additionally, a bulletin is posted on the door of the Aquatic Center for walk-up customers and a voicemail greeting has been placed on the Aquatic Center phone line.”
According to Potter, staff members are now reporting to work at the city’s Water Park facility.
According to the city’s website, the Aquatic Center consists of a six-lane, 25-yard main pool with a one-meter diving board as well as an adjacent shallow water “teach pool” area. In addition to lessons and classes, the indoor facility, located next to Gaithersburg Middle School, features open family recreational swimming, five days a week.
For more information, visit the city’s website at at www.gaithersburgmd.gov/aquatics or call 301.258.6350.
Actually, Tuesday and Thursday are lap swim only days- no family rec swimming.