Updated Tue., Jan. 31
We have exciting news to share! After most recently receiving news of production/delivery delay, we were pleasantly surprised when the new builder system arrived ahead of the most recent projection.
Due to all of the pre-work by our contractors, the installation was completed very quickly and with no major disruptions. On Monday, January 30, the new boiler was turned on and has been closely monitored over the last 24 hours.
In that short amount of time, we have seen an increase of over 14 degrees! We fully expect water temperatures to be back to our standard of 83-84 degrees by tomorrow and will reopen all pool operations, including lap swimming and group exercise classes, on Wednesday, February 1.
We thank everyone for their patience during this challenging time and are very excited to see our swimmers and water fitness enthusiasts return to the pool.
As a reminder, since the pool was closed, our facilities team has focused on completing a number of projects that will enhance the user experience within the natatorium. These include:
• Repainting of all walls and baffles
• Retinting of windows
• Floor, tile and grout cleaning
• Clearing off and reorganizing of the pool deck
• Upgrades on skimmers and filtration system
• Replacement of lights/light fixtures (*to be completed in next 2 weeks)
Welcome back!
[Fri., Jan. 20] The aquatics and facilities teams are continuing their work to maximize the opportunity for preventative maintenance, updates and upgrades during the closure while we await the incoming boiler heating system. Projects in the natatorium which have been recently completed or will be completed before reopening include:
- Painting of all interior walls
- New tinting on all exterior windows
- Replacement of all interior lighting
- Upgrades on skimmers and filtration system
- Deep cleaning of deck, tile, and drains
Additionally, all heating system prep work (piping, gas lines and plumbing) has been completed. Our hope is that this will expedite the installation process once the new boiler has arrived. The project technicians are confident that there should not be any delays with the installation and reheating process.
Although the prep work has gone very smoothly and efficiently onsite, we've received notice of delays from the company building and delivering the heater system. Our most current anticipated delivery date is the first week of February. During this time, members will continue to have the opportunity to swim at the Homestead Aquatics Facility between the hours of 2 - 4 p.m.
Additionally, we encourage members who typically use the pool to consider trying other amenities at the Y: group exercise, pickleball, cardio and strength training are all popular options many members enjoy.
We appreciate your patience as we continue to work towards the pool reopening.
[Fri., Jan. 6] We appreciate your collective patience as we work with our vendor for the delivery and installation of the new boiler system. Completing that work as soon as possible is a priority and we are in communication weekly with the vendor. We currently anticipate a delivery date in late January, consistent with our last update.
At the same time, we have continued to work with the Town of Chapel Hill to reengage reciprocity. We are happy to announce that effective Monday, January 9, Y members will be able to visit the Chapel Hill Homestead Aquatic Center for lap swimming between the hours of 2 - 4 p.m. daily. Y members will be asked to show their membership tag and sign in each time they visit.
In the meantime, our staff team is hard at work identifying and scheduling improvements to the pool, including painting, tile work, pump and water filter maintenance and more. This will both improve the overall member experience upon reopening and hopefully reduce the need for closure for annual maintenance over the next 1 - 2 years.
[Thu., Dec. 22] Over the last few weeks, in conjunction with lowering outside temperatures, the water temperature in the pool has continued to drop. Based on feedback from many members who were still interested in using the pool despite the cooler temperatures, the decision was made to remain open. Overnight, the water temperature dropped again, this time stabilizing at 69°.
At this time, we have made the decision to close the pool, effective December 23 at 3 p.m. for all usage until we are able to raise the water temperature into a more acceptable range.
We continue to meet weekly with our techs to receive updates on the pool heater delivery and installation project. The original timeline of 10-12 weeks has been amended and we are now working under a timeline of 12-14 weeks, putting the delivery towards late January.
We have continued to explore alternative solutions, such as a portable heater that would temporarily be stationed on the back of a flatbed truck; however, we have not been able to find a sustainable solution.
With the closure of the pool, we will address normal maintenance issues separate from the heater. This will hopefully reduce the possibility of the standard, week-long closure that generally happens at the end of the summer.
Finally, we continue to work diligently to find alternative pool space for our members. While we are still confident an agreement will be reached, we fully acknowledge and apologize for the delay that has occurred so far. We will update our members as soon as we have more information regarding alternative space.
Please see below for full details, including continuing mechanical system repair and replacement work.
[Wed., Nov. 30] Since late October, when we moved forward with a full boiler replacement, our outgoing heating system, despite reduced capacity, has been managing to maintain regular pool temperatures. Unfortunately, the current system has now lost all heating capacity and our service partners have confirmed that it is irreparable at this point.
The new boiler system was ordered on Oct. 20, at which time we were given a 10 - 12 week delivery/installation estimate. That timeline remains the same and suggests the new system would be in place near the end of the year.
While we are continuing lap swimming and group exercise programming, we will closely monitor the water temperature and regularly assess the feasibility of pool usage until the incoming heating system can be installed.
As previously shared, we are working with community partners to determine all possible reciprocal pool usage options for our members in the event of a closure. Additional details will be posted and shared as soon as those agreements can be confirmed.
[Mon., Oct. 24] Lap swim and water exercise classes are expected to resume their regular schedules on Tue., Oct. 25. A temporary repair to the boiler system is being closely monitored while we await delivery and installation of a full replacement unit.
As of Monday, pool temperatures had risen to 81 degrees. Our ideal target is 83 degrees (a compromise between various user group preferences), but at this point, we are continuing the gauge the capacity of our outgoing boiler system.
If we experience additional mechanical issues, resulting in limiting water temperatures, contingency plans have been made with local pools to allow Y member access. We appreciate the support of our neighboring pools should we face any such issues. We also appreciate the patience and flexibility from our members.
Members are encouraged to continue connecting with our Facebook updates and mobile app alerts for time-sensitive updates.
[Fri., Oct. 21] We appreciate the patience and grace that has been extended from our members over these last few weeks during this challenging time with the indoor pool's mechanical systems.
We have been hard at work on several fronts and want to continue sharing updates on the replacement boiler unit and pool options for our members moving forward:
- A new unit has been ordered and the timeline that we have been given is 10-12 weeks for delivery and installation. This is an extensive project, with most of the timeline devoted to delivery.
- Our contractors have been able to make temporary repairs and have the current unit operating at ~50% capacity. Over the last 72 hours, we have monitored an increase in the pool temperature and anticipate a reopening date of Tuesday, October 25. While our contractors are unable to guarantee that the unit will be able to continuously keep the water at a steady 83-84 degrees, they are confident that it will be able to hold within a range of 78-84 degrees.
- While we are very excited about the possibility of reopening in the next few days, we also recognize there is a possibility that this temporary fix may not be sustainable. As such, a reciprocity agreement has been reached with local pools that will allow our members to have additional options around town if we have to extend the closure or close again in the future. More information will be delivered on Monday, October 24 regarding the reopening or details of local pool reciprocity contingencies.
- To bridge the gap, Meadowmont’s heated lap pool will continue to remain open Saturday, October 22 - Monday, October 24:
*Sat., Oct. 22 | 12 - 4 p.m.
*Sun., Oct. 23 | 1 - 4 p.m.
*Mon., Oct. 24 | 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Once again, we appreciate everyone’s patience and are excited to be so close to a resolution that will extend through the replacement process.
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[Sun., Oct. 16] Until we can better estimate the indoor pool's reopening, we will be extending operations at the YMCA at Meadowmont's heated outdoor lap pool:
- Lap Swimming 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Mon. - Tue., Oct. 17 - 18
- Lap Swimming 10 a.m.- 3 p.m., Wed. - Fri., Oct. 19 - 21 (subject to change based on weather and indoor pool progress)
- Daily weekday water group exercise 10 - 11 a.m.
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[Thu. p.m., Oct. 13] It has been determined that the recently repaired heating system that serves the pool will need to be fully replaced. Timelines for completion of that work are currently being confirmed with our service partners. We anticipate the pool temperature being too low by Friday morning to continue serving our swimmers. As such, we have made the decision to plan on the pool being closed moving forward until the boiler is replaced.
There are a few pool and wellness options we would like to make you aware of:
Work has been done to get the lap pool at Meadowmont ready for member usage. Although this is an outdoor pool, it is heated to 83 degrees and should provide a comparable alternative for the next few days. Hours are as follows:
• Friday, October 14: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• Saturday, October 15: 12 - 4 p.m.
• Sunday, October 16: 1 - 4 p.m.
Additional days and hours at Meadowmont may be added as we learn more about the timeline for work at the indoor pool.
Additionally, neighboring pools at the Downtown Durham YMCA, Northwest Cary YMCA and Taylor Family YMCA are available for Chapel Hill - Carrboro YMCA members to use (please see the mobile app or website for schedule and lane reservation details). The Downtown Durham YMCA does not require lane reservations, but the NW Cary and Taylor locations do require advance registration.
Finally, check out the Y app for alternative options to swimming, such as racquetball, basketball, cardio/strength training, and land group exercise classes. We once again apologize for this interruption in the wellness routines of our members and are committed to working towards a long-term resolution as quickly as possible.
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[Thu. a.m., Oct. 13] Regrettably, even though there were significant gains with rising water temperatures over the last 48 hours, the pool boiler suffered additional mechanical failures last night (Oct. 12). After meeting with the technicians, their recommendation is that we have exhausted all other options and the only solution is to move forward with a replacement of the machinery. We will have further information regarding a timeline for the replacement by the end of the day (Thu., Oct. 13), but for now, we will leave the pool open as long as water temperatures remain between 75-79 degrees.
This is not the solution we had hoped for when the repair work originally began, but we are committed to moving through the next stage of this process as quickly as possible. In the meantime, once we have more specific information regarding a timeline for replacement, we will evaluate and provide information regarding alternative options for pool usage. We understand how important the pool is for so many of our members and are very sorry for the disruption in routines that this has caused.
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[Tue., Oct. 11] Temperatures are rising as expected at the indoor pool, and we expect to reopen at 6 a.m. on Wednesday. Full programming is expected to resume.
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[Mon., Oct. 10] As of Monday afternoon, October 10, repairs to both the plumbing and electrical systems have been completed, and the process of warming the water has begun. That said, raising the pool temperature so significantly (~15 degrees, nearly 100,000 gallons of circulating water) is expected to be a gradual process that will extend into Tuesday. We are closely monitoring the progress and proper functioning of the full system.
On Tuesday, October 11, the YMCA at Meadowmont's outdoor lap pool will be open 7 a.m. - 1 p.m., exclusively for lap swimming.
We currently plan to resume full indoor programming (water fitness classes, swim lessons and lap swimming) on Wednesday, October 12.
We will continue to post updates here and in our Facebook group, either confirming Wednesday's reopening or sharing any other updates to that timeline.
Thank you for your continued patience and consideration through the extended efforts to get the pool systems back in dependable working order.
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[Fri., Oct. 7] As you may be aware, there have been continued mechanical and electrical issues with our boiler that serves the indoor pool. Initially, this led to fluctuations of +/- 3 degrees at various times, a pool closure of 4 days in September, and currently much cooler water temperatures beginning October 3.
These conditions are inconsistent with the member experience we aim to deliver. With simple resolutions becoming less likely, we want to be sure to share full detail of the mechanical issues we continue to face, along with the continuing efforts to diagnose and resolve those system failures.
While our YMCA facilities staff, both at the branch and association level, are dedicated to proper preventative maintenance and time-sensitive repairs, problems of this nature require expert service partners. We have utilized professional technicians for each step of the process and will continue to rely on their expertise and guidance until all issues are resolved.
At the onset of the current mechanical symptoms, primarily temperature fluctuations, a complete diagnostic review of the boiler system was performed. At that time, two issues were discovered - an electrical problem that was causing the system to shut down periodically and a leak on one of the valves coming off the outtake pipe that transfers hot water from the boiler to the pool. During the repair of the leaking valve, a burst pipe occurred, causing a complete shutdown of the pool pump system and resulting in the closure of the pool for 4 days in September.
After reopening the pool, a second burst pipe occurred a few days later. Although this was less significant than the first, and didn’t result in a closure, it continued to delay the comprehensive repair plan and timeline.
During the multiple phases of the plumbing repairs, a different group of technicians were working on the electrical issues within the boiler. Electrical repairs have gone slower for two main reasons - a delay in the delivery of parts and the impact of the plumbing repairs which required pausing electrical diagnostics, repairs and testing.
Over the last week, we have worked towards a goal of having all repairs completed and temperatures back to normal by Friday, October 7. We received a promising report from both sets of technicians on Thursday, October 6, turned on the boiler and began the rewarming process with optimism that temperatures would be back to normal heading into the weekend. Regrettably, Friday morning checks revealed another electrical malfunction that would need to be addressed.
Technician teams have worked throughout October 7 and are confident the new problem has been identified and can be corrected. Still to be determined are timelines for receiving required parts.
Knowing that the current water temperature will continue to drop, we feel that the safest decision is to close the pool and reassess the reopening timelines once repairs are completed and pool conditions can be returned to our operating standards. The pool will therefore be closed through Monday, October 10, with further notifications and updates coming as soon as we have them. These will be delivered via building signage, Facebook updates and mobile app alerts.
We are truly sorry for these continued issues and are committed to returning to normal pool operations as soon as possible. We recognize and appreciate that the pool is a crucial piece of what the Y offers our community and appreciate the grace and understanding of our members and program participants during these efforts to set up our pool systems for long-term dependability.
Contact: Aubrey Vinson, Executive Branch Director
