Glass exposure forces Columbus pool closures

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Three different Columbus pools have had to be shut down so far this summer because of glass exposure, with the latest incident happening just days before an expected heat wave.

Tuttle Pool was closed earlier this summer after glass was found there, and Lincoln Pool was closed earlier this week for the same problem. It was set to re-open Thursday afternoon, according to the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department. Then, on Wednesday, glass was found in Dodge Pool.

“Definitely need the pool, I miss it already," Lauree Deal said.

She said she goes to the pool almost every day, and was planning to Thursday. However, when she pulled up, she saw the signs letting the community know the pool was closed until further notice due to glass exposure. 

“It’s all been good as far as I can tell until incidents like this occur," Deal said.

Marissa Angellatta, Aquatics Administrative Manager for CRPD, said the glass in Dodge Pool was found after someone got a minor cut on their foot. She said because they don't know exactly how the glass got in, the whole pool had to be drained.

“They’ll come through and it doesn't even matter if the exposure was like over here or over here, they will have to totally vacuum every inch of this pool," she said. 

Though glass is small, it causes big disruptions. After the pool is vacuumed and refilled, the chemicals in the pool water need to be balanced. Angellatta said what the incident at Dodge was even more unfortunate as it happened with multiple hot days on the way.

“Dodge will see 600 people a day normally, including probably another 100 summer camp kids and another 50 swim lesson and swim team kids," she said. "So its a really massive disruption just even for one day of closure, let alone -- we’re looking at probably 3 or 3.5 days," she said.

Rules about glass not being allowed at pools are clearly posted and bags are checked. In previous years, it's been obvious how glass has gotten into pools, according to Angellatta.

She said it has not been clear this year, which makes her wonder if the incidents have happened during hours the pools are closed. She said Dodge Pool will probably be able to re-open on Sunday.

“I’m hoping that they’ll get it straightened out and people start listening to the rules and regulations and follow them," Deal said.