Hialeah Mayor Bryan Calvo on Tuesday ordered the temporary closure of pool facilities in the city as a review into their conditions is underway.
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According to Calvo, McDonald Pool, Milander Pool and Babcock Pool will be temporarily closed.
The closure of these pool facilities comes after a new water park in Hialeah was closed last week due to what the city said was a pending health department permit.
Bucky Dent Water Park had just reopened on July 31 after a seven-year closure. Days later, the popular park was shut down after an elderly man nearly drowned on Aug. 4 after suffering a stroke while in the water.
An inspection by the Department of Health found multiple violations at Bucky Dent, including problems with water chemistry, equipment and permits.
The DOH inspected Bucky Dent facilities on Aug. 5 and 6.
Inspection records for the Activity Pool showed chlorine levels outside the acceptable range, as well as pH levels outside the required range of 7.0 to 7.8.
Inspectors also cited problems with filters, pumps, water levels and other safety equipment, and records show the facility was operating without a valid permit.
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Commissioner Rene Garcia said it was unacceptable and sent a letter to Mayor Calvo, requesting that they take immediate action and that no facility should reopen until it complies with requirements to operate safely.
“When we see the pH levels were much higher than require by state law, why is that so important? When the pH numbers are so high, that means the chlorine doesn’t work, ” Garcia said. “By the chlorine not working, that means bacteria gets created in the water and that’s very dangerous for our children, our seniors and immune compromised.”
Calvo responded, saying the deterioration of park facilities, many of which are in Garcia’s district, creates an enormous fiscal and administrative challenge. Calvo also asked Garcia’s office to appropriate $5 million for the remodeling and renovation of all aquatic and adjacent park facilities.
An independent expert will now do a comprehensive assessment of Hialeah’s pool facilities and will give Calvo’s administration findings regarding the conditions and what improvements need to be made.
“Residents have every right to expect that when a City facility is open to the public, we have done everything necessary to ensure it is operating properly,” Calvo said in a statement. “When information came to my attention that raised additional questions about our aquatics operations, I made the decision to act immediately. We are going to conduct an independent review, address anything that needs to be corrected and make sure these facilities meet the standards our residents deserve.”
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A city council meeting is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.