Counsilman-Hunsaker was commissioned by Community Ventures and the City of Philadelphia to provide an assessment of the 10,200 square foot outdoor pool at the Vogt Recreation Center. The assessment had a specific focus on the longevity of the current pool for consideration for a potential renovation. The pool had been opened for the summer season after the closure of the pool for two consecutive summers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The pool also includes a small spray pool; however, the report focused primarily on the pool.
The assessment centered around the deteriorating pool structure, finishes and perimeter overflow system as well as the antiquated pool mechanical systems. Additional comments were made on the deck and overall pool support spaces. Staff had reported the need to add water to the pool, as the Vogt Recreation Center constantly indicating water loss concerns. Ground penetrating radar was used to determine areas of abnormalities in the subsurface, especially in the areas where the pool piping is believed to be original. The pool mechanical systems had been replaced during the lifespan of the pool but were 40+ years old. Many of the systems were undersized to current code and industry standards for a pool of this size and use. Additional concerns include the steel filter tanks failing due to corrosion, which caused leaking into the mechanical room adding to the water loss of the pool system. Additional observations were given on the pool operations including the lack of any chemical treatment system automation and no secondary sanitation system, which are now recommended in many industries standard codes including the Model Aquatic Health Code.
Two approaches to renovation were proposed including an opinion of probable cost for both approaches for the Vogt Recreation Center. The opinion of probable cost also listed priority levels 1-3 which detailed expenses that need to be addressed immediately, in the short term and then in the long term. A renovation approach and a Myrtha RenovAction approach were given due to potential issues to the pool structurally. A renovation approach included replacing the stainless-steel gutter, new mechanical systems and piping, structural remediation of much of the pool structure and the replacement of the pool deck and drainage system and fencing. A RenovAction approach would provide the facility a 25+ year solution by reusing the existing footprint of the pool structure but providing new stainless-steel walls and a fiberglass reinforced composite membrane to provide a new pool solution within the existing shell. In conjunction with a full mechanical system replacement, including replacing all below-grade piping with new Schedule 80 PVC, a RenovAction approach would give the city a long-term solution to the current issues it faced at the pool.
