Finally

The wait is almost over in Hartley.

Following a two-year delay, the city's pool is slated to open on Saturday, May 25. Officials are planning a ribbon cutting and hotdog meal to mark the occasion at Neebel Park. The public is invited to attend and take their inaugural dips that afternoon.

"We want everybody to come out, check things out and celebrate with us," said City Administrator Roxann Swanson. "We're just all really excited about the pool opening."

The process to get here was an arduous one. Originally slated to open in the summer of 2022, errors made during the construction process pushed back opening day indefinitely.

Certain electrical inspections could not be completed two years ago because all concrete work pertaining to the pool's 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.

Late last summer the pool's perimeter decking was completely removed and replaced, with all conductive fixtures connected to a rebuilt bonding ring. According to the IEEB's report, the plan addressed concerns about potential equipotential bonding failures and alleviated risks to user safety.

Hartley has been without a pool since the swimming season closed in 2020. The new one was built thanks to a $1.7 million bond issue passed by 84 percent of city voters in 2021.

Saturday's celebration runs from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the pool. A ribbon cutting will be held at noon, with the facility slated to open to swimmers at 1 p.m.