City staff are working with the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind and are expecting the Mustang Center pool to reopen by the end of the week.

The pool is about one-third the size of the Morony Natatorium, according to Marian Permann, the city aquatics facilities supervisor.

During Monday’s Park and Recreation Advisory Board meeting, Permann said the pool hadn’t been used in about three years so things deteriorate.

City aquatics programs temporarily suspended due to mechanical issues

The city had initially planned to start their swim classes on Jan. 14 but there was a filter issue. Then the chlorination system failed. MSDB was quick to replace the system, but they had to stay out of the water for about two days to stabilize the chlorine levels in the pool.

The wintry weather and icy roads caused staff to cancel classes for two days since many of the users are older and Permann said it didn’t seem prudent to have them driving or walking on any icy patches.

City swim lessons at MSDB delayed to Jan. 21

On the third day, they were preparing to go back to the normal schedule when MSDB called and said the heat was out, Permann said.

She said they’re hoping to have the pool reopened on Thursday.

Water park bath house renovation opens for bids next week

After that, Permann told the Park and Rec board, they shouldn’t have any more issues since most of the pool equipment is now new.

Permann said staff maintains a call list to keep swimmers updated on any facility closures or schedule changes.

She said the weekday swim lessons didn’t get as much interest as they’d hoped, but weekend classes were full with about 15 children per class.

City swim classes begin at MSDB in January

Permann said they had lost swimmers since they don’t currently have open swim at MSDB and the pool is smaller, but the locker rooms are very nice.

There’s also a large window to the pool, so parents don’t hang out on the pool deck during swim lessons. That’s making lessons go more smoothly and is a design feature to be considered if and when the city develops a new indoor swimming facility, Permann said.

City working to use MSDB pool as alternative while replacing Natatorium

Park and Rec works with insurance programs to provide services for those with medical needs and Permann said a physical therapist from Benefis Health System had approached staff for a potential partnership with additional classes.