Kimbro pool: Facility to open soon after receiving major overhaul

By Somer Breeze-Hanson/JBLM PAO on September 21, 2012

Those eagerly waiting for the re-opening of Kimbro Pool located in McVeigh Sports and Fitness Center have just one more month to wait.

Closed since Oct. 31 for its first complete overhaul since it was built in 1947, Kimbro Pool on Lewis Main was originally slated to re-open this month. Additional modifications to enhance the aesthetics of the pool as well as mechanical upgrades added a little extra time to the length of the project.

But the time spent is well worth the multi-million dollar upgraded facility that is near completion. The once oversized swimming pool was demolished and turned into a standard lap pool as well as a zero-depth kids pool.

"What this community has never had before is an indoor kiddie pool," Chief of Community Recreation Division Rick Randall said.

Everything within the pool building was torn down and made anew from the ceiling to the pool floors to the heating systems. The wall coverings were stripped down, replaced and painted green, blue and gray. The water slides were refurbished off-site and are re-installed at the deep end of the lap pool. The concrete bleacher seating was removed, allowing more space on the pool deck.

The filtration systems were also upgraded and each pool has its own system. New flush deck gutter systems were installed as well as a new ventilation and air conditioning system.

The zero-depth pool will accommodate younger swimmers in the popular family pool. The kids pool includes eight water fountain features that create a water tunnel, as well as three water features inside the pool. A walk way with a hand railing separates the two pools.

Contractors spent the last week laying blue tile and 38 mosaic tile sea animals down on the pool deck. The crew will finish up tiling, work on the filtration systems and test everything out before the doors open next month.

Kimbro's most recent renovation was in 1991.

During construction Kimbro Pool's recreation schedules were dispersed to Soldiers Field House Pool and Keeler Pool.