Collapsed Pool Bubble Could Be Removed this Month

The collapsed bubble at the Cheshire Community Pool needs to be hoisted away at the end of March if town leaders decide to replace the bubble and keep the pool open in the winter season.

 “There are critical timelines if we decide to replace the bubble,” said Town Manager Michael Milone. He said there is a five-month long planning process that must begin right away if a new bubble is to be installed by late September.

 Aquatics Director Sheila Adams said it will take up to 14 weeks for a company to custom manufacture a new fabric bubble that would measure 33,800 square feet.

 “The insurance company has given up the idea of trying to fix the bubble,” councilor David Schrumm said. “We gotta get (the collapsed bubble) off,” added chairman Tim Slocum.

 Adams said once the bubble is removed, engineers can determine if the pool deck was damaged as well as the ladders and railings around the pool

 Milone said the council would discuss the cost to replace the bubble later in executive session because the negotiations with the insurance company, Great American Insurance Group of Cincinnati, could become contentious.

 Milone said the price estimate to replace the bubble and the amount the insurance company has said it will pay don’t mesh. “Obviously and unfortunately, the numbers aren’t the same. We’ll see how to bring the number closer together,” he said.

 “The drop dead date for a decision is June first,” Adams told the council.

 The fabric bubble collapsed in mid-January during a heavy snow storm. It was the first casualty of the record-breaking snowfall that month. About six other buildings in town have also collapsed this winter.