Itasca pool opens, Bloomingdale’s set for Sunday

While the Itasca Water Park successfully opened its wading pool Wednesday after a 10-day delay, work continues to repair mechanical problems in the zero-depth pool at Bloomingdale’s Oasis Water Park.

Carrie Haupert, Bloomingdale Park District executive director, said the zero-depth pool is slated to open Sunday, June 12, one week after the rest of the Oasis Water Park opened for the season.

The delay was caused by a pipe leak, which required staff members to drill into concrete in four places around the pool, make repairs, pour fresh concrete and repaint, Haupert said. The project cost the park district about $4,200, and Haupert said staff suspects the crack occurred during the winter freeze-thaw cycle.

“We are lucky to have a dedicated staff that worked all through Memorial Day weekend to get the pool up as fast as they could,” she said.

Residents with season passes received a letter alerting them of the closure. While they still can use Bloomingdale’s lap pool and sprayground, pass holders also can use Roselle Park District’s Kemmerling Pool for free through Saturday.

Haupert said workers planned to start filling the pool with water Wednesday night.

In Itasca, park district staff worked for nearly two weeks to find a replacement for a drain cover in its interactive wading pool, which was voluntarily recalled nationwide by the manufacturer.

The covers posed an entrapment hazard to swimmers, officials said, although no injuries were reported.

Itasca staff learned government-approved replacement covers could take weeks to arrive, so they ordered another brand and worked with engineers to ensure the new setup met Illinois safety regulations.

Maryfran Leno, Itasca Park District executive director, said the district spent about $5,000 for purchasing the drain covers, labor and engineering costs. The district also lost about $2,000 in revenue by giving discounts to patrons during the 10 days the wading pool was closed.

But she added the pool, which holds 350 swimmers, opened smoothly Wednesday and was “jam packed” thanks to the high temperatures.

“It’s kind of nice to see people back in that pool,” Leno said.