Council OKs $829K pool fix

NORWALK — Norwalk city council recently approved funding to replace the aging pool HVAC system at the Ernsthausen Recreation Center. It's a move city leaders say was necessary to keep the aquatic center operational. The project, authorized Tuesday night, carries a price tag of $829,000. A 30-year-old system According to Norwalk Mayor Dave Light, the current system was installed when the aquatic center was built in 1994 and has long outlived its useful life. "This system is necessary for the pool to function," Light said. "If it went down tomorrow, we'd be looking at months of disruption and only a temporary fix." City public works director Aaron Osborn said that the existing unit controls both temperature and humidity inside the natatorium. "The new one is going to have two boilers that will help heat the pools in conjunction with electricity," he said. "The old system is operating off a DOS system that you just can't find parts for anymore." The DOS system Osborn is referring to is an outdated computer operating system MS-DOS which was popular in the 1980s and 1990s, but modern computers are not directly compatible with, causing operators to find workarounds such as using older machines to interface or emulators. This also means updates, security features or patches are unavailable, according to an online search. Why council couldn't wait Light said replacement couldn't be delayed until January's budget cycle and had to be done in an emergency fashion due to long lead times from the manufacturer. "It has a long lead time to order," he noted. "That's why we couldn't wait." Council's approval Monday means the city can lock in the purchase now, with installation scheduled in 2026. Officials expect the new equipment to last about 20 years. Osborn described the consequences if the unit failed before replacement. "If the system actually went down, the pool would be an inoperable unit for six months or more," he said. "We could make a temporary fix, but it wouldn't reach normal pool temperature and humidity levels." Deferred maintenance highlighted Mayor Light used the moment to highlight broader infrastructure concerns at the recreation center. "When I first came in, we were running on patches welded on top of patches," he said. "We even took council members down into the basement after a meeting so they can see what I'm seeing — there are welded patches everywhere." According to Light, the new system will use fiberglass tanks, preventing some of the issues with corrosion seen in the old system. Next steps City staff will finalize specifications and move forward with procurement. Once installed, the new system will regulate pool water temperature, maintain humidity and ensure reliable operation of the city's aquatics programs, according to Osborn. "This project keeps a critical community facility open and safe," Light said. "It's not glamorous, but it's necessary."