You can almost smell the chlorine.
The city of Albany's new pool is almost finished- even with a few adjustments to ensure they comply with new federal regulations.
"Once we found out the rules we ordered the equipment," said Albany city manager David Denman.
That includes installing a lift to allow easy access for wheelchairs.
Its part of the American Disability Act signed in 2010- mandating all public pools to equipped with lifts and ramps for wheelchairs.
This had many cities scrambling to get the chairs in time for the May 15 deadline.
"Because of the costs of the lifts a lot of the municipalities cant afford it and so they have to work that into their budgets," said Bob Wetz, the construction manager for the Albany city pool.
That deadline has now been pushed to Jan. 30, 2013.
Some city officials however, want to make sure they're ready beforehand.
"For the last six months we've been trying to prepare our pools," said Anita Vigil, who works for the City of Abilene as the program coordinator for the two city pools.
One of the big parts of the regulation may require that pools have the lifts permanently installed in areas like this one, which has many cities like Abilene concerned.
"Vandalism, in the evenings when nobody's there to watch them is our main concern," said Vigil.
"The mechanized facility is going to be there available for other people such as children that love to climb and play," said Denman.
The city of Abilene purchased two portable lifts they can easily install and remove from the two city pools.
They invested close to $30,000 for the upgrade including building a ramp on their kiddie pool.
Staff say they made sure to prepare early.
"We got the chairs in enough time to make sure we secured them for our city pools," said Vigil.
Now both cities are ahead of the pack- which they say was worth any of the headaches.
"It was something we weren't expecting but were glad to help out with people who need this its a community pool," said Denman.
The city of Albany's new pool is almost finished- even with a few adjustments to ensure they comply with new federal regulations.
"Once we found out the rules we ordered the equipment," said Albany city manager David Denman.
That includes installing a lift to allow easy access for wheelchairs.
Its part of the American Disability Act signed in 2010- mandating all public pools to equipped with lifts and ramps for wheelchairs.
This had many cities scrambling to get the chairs in time for the May 15 deadline.
"Because of the costs of the lifts a lot of the municipalities cant afford it and so they have to work that into their budgets," said Bob Wetz, the construction manager for the Albany city pool.
That deadline has now been pushed to Jan. 30, 2013.
Some city officials however, want to make sure they're ready beforehand.
"For the last six months we've been trying to prepare our pools," said Anita Vigil, who works for the City of Abilene as the program coordinator for the two city pools.
One of the big parts of the regulation may require that pools have the lifts permanently installed in areas like this one, which has many cities like Abilene concerned.
"Vandalism, in the evenings when nobody's there to watch them is our main concern," said Vigil.
"The mechanized facility is going to be there available for other people such as children that love to climb and play," said Denman.
The city of Abilene purchased two portable lifts they can easily install and remove from the two city pools.
They invested close to $30,000 for the upgrade including building a ramp on their kiddie pool.
Staff say they made sure to prepare early.
"We got the chairs in enough time to make sure we secured them for our city pools," said Vigil.
Now both cities are ahead of the pack- which they say was worth any of the headaches.
"It was something we weren't expecting but were glad to help out with people who need this its a community pool," said Denman.
