Aug 26, 2015 2 min read

WAYNESBURG – The summer swimming season is ending earlier than expected in Greene County.

The Alpha Aquatics Center in Franklin Township closed over the weekend because of a serious mechanic problem at the waterpark, forcing the swimming season to be cut short a week early.

The main circulation pump malfunctioned about 3:30 p.m. Sunday, causing smoke to billow from the pump house and alarming swimmers, Greene County Recreation Director Jake Blaker said.

“The kids were ready to call the fire department when they saw the smoke coming out of the (pump house),” Blaker said.

The staff disconnected electricity to the system, but the pump was “fried” and water was no longer able to circulate through the pool, Blaker said. He added the pool’s staff was able to neutralize the problem quickly without contacting emergency responders.

It would take until at least Wednesday for a new pump to arrive and be installed, Blaker said, so the recreation staff decided to close the pool early for the season. However, the pool was scheduled to be closed next week as local children return to school and reopen for the Labor Day weekend before closing for the season.

Blaker said the recreation staff feels fortunate that the malfunction did not happen earlier at the height of the swimming season.

The staff will have to replace the pump in the coming weeks, though, so the pool can be drained and prepared for the off-season.

The total cost of the pump and motor replacement will cost about $6,000.

“We made the decision not to do a rush job and do it right and replace the whole system with the pump and motor,” he said. “It did a number.”

The malfunction officially ended the swimming season for Greene County pools.

Carmichaels Pool at Wana B Park and Mon View Pool in Greensboro both closed for the season Aug. 15.