GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- The Richmond Park Pool experienced a three-week delay in opening to the public last month and now the City of Grand Rapids has canceled the annual Wag 'n' Wade event this summer.
The Parks & Recreation Department said in a news release that dog fur contributed to increased wear on a mechanical pump that malfunctioned in the pool. That caused the delay because the city had to purchase and install a new pump.
The city said the dog hair would get into the filtration system and clog it, increasing increasing strain on the pump to push water back out to the pool.
Here are more details from the City of G.R. news release:
"We’re really disappointed to end this event, as we know how much our dogs enjoyed the opportunity to swim,” said Laura Cleypool, interim department director. “It was a community favorite and a summer highlight for many.”
While city pools opened June 6, Richmond Park Pool faced a delayed opening due to a mechanical pump failure. After finally opening June 26, operators discovered a broken valve that affected water flow. The pool closed again but reopened the following day thanks to maintenance staff who worked long hours to fix the issue.
While officials cannot confirm that dog fur specifically caused the mechanical problems this year, they do know it contributed to increased wear on the pump. Dog hair would get into the filtration system and clog it, increasing strain on the pump to push water back out to the pool. Officials hope canceling the event will help extend the life of the newly installed equipment.
“We have an incredible maintenance team that has gone above and beyond this year to get Richmond Park Pool operating reliably,” Cleypool said. “Ultimately, we have to prioritize the safety and operation of our pools for our human visitors. We want to treat our new pool pump well so it lasts for many years.”
Richmond Park Pool, along with pools at Briggs and Martin Luther King Jr. parks, is scheduled to close for the season Saturday, Aug. 16.
For more information about city pools, visit: grandrapidsmi.gov.
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