Simpson Park Pool to Remain Closed for at Least Three More Weeks

The Simpson Park Pool will remain closed for at least the next three weeks, Lakeland Parks & Recreation Director Bob Donahay said Thursday.

What happened? The pool’s vinyl liner separated from the marcite surface, creating a bubble that could be seen Thursday afternoon floating atop the pool. City officials said it’s not safe for people to swim.

Inspection is weeks away: Donahay said the earliest the pool contractor can inspect the issue is July 8.

“The situation has gotten worse,” Donahay said. “It’s grown. The contractor gets here on July the eighth, we drain the pool, and then we’ll see what we have, how bad it is.”

The Simpson Park Pool liner has bubbled to the surface, creating a danger for swimmers. The pool is closed for at least the next three weeks. | Kimberly C. Moore, LkldNow

How much will it cost? Donahay said the city won’t know the cost of the fix until the contractor inspects it. The Simpson Park Pool was built in about 1989 and the original liner was added in about 2005. He said the problem is with a second liner that was installed 10 years ago.

Busing swimmers: City officials met on Thursday morning to discuss alternative scheduling for groups, including senior exercise classes and classes for children learning to swim. All classes will be moved to the Gandy Pool at the Kelly Recreation Complex on Imperial Boulevard, about five miles away.

The city is considering using buses to shuttle Simpson Park swimmers to Kelly Rec. Donahay said they may use the Police Athletic League bus or partner with Polk County Public Schools to use one of its vehicles.

Neighbors: Clarissa Gaskins, 32, was holding her toddler daughter across the street from the pool Thursday afternoon.

“It sucks. It’s summertime,” she said. “I have a little brother, 18, who goes to the pool. Don’t they have maintenance people? They could’ve caught this before it got this bad.”