NEW ORLEANS — Public pools across New Orleans are open for folks to enjoy the summer, but there's a noticeable difference between the East and West banks of the city. The only public pool in Algiers can't open right now, and it's leaving a community dried out.
It was a disappointment Wednesday morning when Verilin Dampeer went to check on the pool at Federal City in Algiers.
"From nine o’clock to a quarter to ten we had the aerobics class here," Dampeer said.
The NORD pool she's counted on for senior water aerobics is closed for repairs. As the only public pool on the West Bank, Dampeer is cut off from a source of recreation in her community.
"Here we are nothing," she said.
CEO of the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission, Larry Barabino, Jr. wasn’t available Wednesday, but Councilman Freddie King, who represents Algiers, said the plaster at the bottom of the pool started breaking.
In a statement to WWL Louisiana, he said “This was an unforeseen needed repair, and a contractor has been selected. The city is working as fast as it can to get repairs done.”
"Look at this pool. Dry. I mean dry. It looks bad," said community advocate Michael Willis.
According to the city, it could take up to three weeks for the pool to open. Willis said that leaves both seniors and kids without access to a needed resource for too long.
"It says this, We dropped the ball, and we continue to let our kids down over and over and over again," he said.
Willis watched as the city celebrated the opening of NORD pools last week. The only usable ones are currently on the East Bank, which can be tough for some families on the West Bank to get to.
"If they would have provided transportation for us to go to Sanchez or to Treme, then that would be good," Dampeer said.
Last year, because of a lifeguard shortage, the pool in Algiers was only open on certain days. That’s when Willis decided to create a community splash day, complete with inflatable bounce houses and splash pads. He plans to do it again this year.
"I’m going to take matters into my own hands and me and my family and my friends and the community is going to do what we need to do to get these things back on track for our kids," Willis said.
For Willis and Dampeer, it’s more than just about a pool, it’s about their community.
"It’s needed and you know, we pay taxes, and we shouldn’t be forgotten," Dampeer explained.
An outdoor pool that’s been closed for years at Behrman Playground in Algiers is currently being converted into an indoor pool. The city expects it’ll be ready by next year. That would bring two pools to the West Bank.
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