The Hartley Sentinel-The Everly/Royal News - Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties

Activity was bustling this week at Hartley's never-opened new pool.

Crews were busy pouring concrete on the deck. Work got underway Monday and was slated to continue throughout the week.

"It feels really good seeing things progress," said City Administrator Roxann Swanson.

The previous concrete deck was removed in August and September, along with rebar. Workers tied new rebar this month in preparation for the big pour.

The redo was necessary due to errors made in the original construction process that led to a failed safety inspection. Certain electrical inspections could not be completed because all concrete work pertaining to its shell and most of the surrounding decking was finished prior to the necessary inspections being requested by the responsible contractor. Phillips Electric, Inc., of Spirit Lake, was subcontracted to perform electrical work on the project, including installation of all required equipotential bonding equipment.

General contractor Eriksen Construction appealed the failed inspection. After nearly a year of review, the Iowa Electrical Examining Board (IEEB) in June approved a proposal by Eriksen to address issues at the pool.

The ruling by the IEEB approved a remediation plan that would remove and replace the pool's perimeter decking and reconnect all conductive fixtures to a rebuilt bonding ring. According to the board's report, the plan would address concerns about potential equipotential bonding failures and alleviate risks to user safety.

Swanson noted at the Oct. 9 council meeting that proper electrical inspections had been completed at the pool, paving the way for concrete to be poured.

Hartley has been without a pool since the swimming season closed in 2020. Swanson was eager to have a ribbon cutting next summer.

"Yes, absolutely. That's the goal," she said.