Press Release – Letter To The Editor
Stay informed on issues involving the Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool
To the Editor:
As a native Oak Ridger, I’m writing about the future of our cherished pool. This iconic landmark, born from the Manhattan Project era, has been our town’s oasis for generations. We’ve been presented with three options from Kimley-Horn for the pool’s future, and it’s crucial that our community fully understands their implications.
Each option calls for the complete demolition of our historic pool – a symbol of our shared history and culture. This raises lingering questions: What are the underlying issues? Where is the remediation option? Should we repair the leaks or start fresh with a new pool?
Here are the facts: In May 2021, the pool was losing 75,000 gallons daily. By 2024, this loss had increased to 110,000 gallons daily, up 45%, further burdening our community financially. Over three years, the pool has lost nearly 30 million gallons of water.
Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool
Transparency is a concern. I had to file records requests for four years of Oak Ridge Parks and Recreation Department minutes. The city should post such updates online. Until then, citizens can access these documents on “The Big Pool Story” website. These records reveal oversights. For instance, in November 2021, an engineer recommended a camera inspection of the plumbing, which the board approved, but there is no record showing it was done.
Left unaddressed, these leaks have drained more than just water – they’ve drained our community’s resources, with water costs reaching $6 per 1,000 gallons. What we’re facing isn’t just a pool maintenance issue, but an escalating financial strain. If these problems persist, we risk rising costs and losing a landmark tied to generations. This pool is part of our identity, and addressing these challenges head-on is crucial to avoid a costly, unnecessary overhaul.
Without more assessments, Counsilman-Hunsaker has declared the pool at its “engineered end of life,” but Oak Ridgers deserve the facts. This same firm proposing the $30 million project creates a clear conflict of interest. This raises serious concerns about the objectivity of their recommendation. Until a meaningful and thorough assessment is conducted and a remediation option is properly considered, we cannot responsibly move forward.
If these issues remain unaddressed, we risk escalating costs and the permanent loss of a landmark tied to our community’s history. This isn’t just a pool; it’s a vital part of our identity. We must address these problems head-on, rather than committing to an expensive, unnecessary project.
In 2021, local expertise should have been prioritized, especially in a city like Oak Ridge, known for tackling complex challenges. Moving forward, it’s essential that the city incorporates local talent – those with deep knowledge of our town’s legacy of innovation – into future evaluations.
The recent $50,000 for further assessment is a step in the right direction, but it must be only the beginning. A more thorough evaluation is still necessary, focusing on essential diagnostics like sub-pool plumbing inspections. All relevant data and costs should be gathered, particularly those related to repairable issues, to ensure a complete understanding. Most importantly, these assessments must be conducted by unbiased, independent parties to guarantee transparency and avoid conflicts of interest. This is the only way to ensure the best outcome for the community.
In conclusion, I urge Oak Ridge citizens to help preserve our heritage by staying informed, attending public forums, and contacting council members. Visit thebigpoolstory.com for updates and join the Save the Oak Ridge Pool Facebook group to stay involved. Your participation is vital as we work together to make the best decisions for our pool. Thank you for your time.
David Pappas
The Big Pool Preservation Project
Brendan O’Hallarn
bohallar@odu.edu
