Hanscom Pool to close for repairs

  • Published
  • By JC Corcoran
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  The 66th Services Squadron has announced that beginning Dec. 24, the base pool will be closed for repairs. The construction project, scheduled to repair a leak and replace the pool liner, is scheduled to last until mid to late March 2009.

"We apologize to our many loyal patrons for any inconvenience that this closure may cause," said Paul Hartigan, Community Support Flight chief.

"We're confident that the pool will provide a more pleasing, as well as a safer, environment when work is completed. We understand that this will impact many people who participate in our pool programs but will make every effort to keep the base informed as the construction moves forward," he said.

All pool memberships that are current at the time of the closure will be extended to reflect the amount of time missed due to the repairs. Individuals who will PCS during that time or who cannot extend their membership should contact the Hanscom Pool to arrange for a refund.

Working to minimize the impact to their customers, the pool staff has been contacting and making arrangements with local pools, so Hanscom Pool patrons' swimming programs are not disrupted unnecessarily, Mr. Hartigan said.

Arrangements have been made with the Greater Lowell Family YMCA, as well as the Waltham YMCA, to help minimize the disruption. Hanscom personnel can utilize the Greater Lowell Family YMCA facility for $3 per visit with a Hanscom ID. The Lowell facility is located at 35 YMCA Drive, Lowell, Mass., just off the Lowell Connector at Exit 5B. For more information on the Great Lowell Family YMCA call Adele Tsoukaris at (978) 454-7825.

The Waltham YMCA is located on 725 Lexington Street, Waltham, Mass. The cost will be $5 per visit with a Hanscom ID. Contact Laure Spindler or Jennifer Weller at (781) 894-5295 for additional information.

In addition to both YMCAs, arrangements have been made for eligible individuals to utilize the pool at the Bedford VA free of charge. This arrangement however, is open only to those that have access to VA benefits and is not open to DoD employees or contract personnel.

The VA pool's hours of operation are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Contact the VA at (781) 687-2309 for additional information.

The pool will close Dec. 2 and 3 for testing to locate any additional repair needs. The pool will open for modified hours Dec. 22 and 23. Hours on Dec. 22 are from 10 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. The last official business day before the closure will be Dec. 23. On that date, the pool will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and again at 5 p.m. for the scheduled Flick N Float.

"I want to thank everyone for their patience and understanding as we go through this repair process," said Stephanie Herlihy, Aquatics director. "There is never a good time to close [the pool] and we will work as diligently as possible to get it back up and running for our customers," she said.

Pool patrons can contact Ms. Herlihy at (781) 377-2455 for more information on the closure, pool memberships or scheduled programs.