London Pool Will not Open for 2018 Season, Officials Evaluating Conditions

SYRACUSE, Ohio – The decision has been made not to open the London Pool for this summer.

According to a statement from the Syracuse Village Council, the council has decided, “Not open London Pool for the 2018 season due to financial, structural, health and safety concerns. As the only remaining pool in Meigs County, all of the officials and employees of Syracuse Village are acutely aware of the importance of operating the pool in a fiscally responsible manner while prioritizing the safety of the community.”

The council statement said it was a “difficult” decision to make for the pool not to open. There was an emergency meeting last week regarding repairs needed for the Fibre-Tech coating on the pool which led to the discovery of structural issues in the concrete decking and along the walls of the pool. After consultation with the Meigs County Health Department and the Ohio Department of Health, the Village secured the services of a structural engineer. Further decisions regarding the pool once its structural integrity is determined will have to be made as well. This will mean contacting a number of pool fence inspectors to see how safe the pool really is and whether it will be reopening at all. If standards are not met, there is a concern that it won’t be returning.

According to the statement, “The Village is morally and legally responsible to ensure the pool is structurally stable, safe, and clean. Rather than delaying the opening indefinitely and putting the entire staff and community on hold while the necessary inspections, fundraising, and repairs are done, Council unanimously agreed this was the best decision for everyone involved.”

The London Pool celebrated a 40th anniversary in 2017.