After much-needed renovations, the NAS Swimming Pool in Hilo is finally set to reopen next month.
The NAS pool closed in March 2020 at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, but was never reopened due to the upgrades needed to make the pool comply with the standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Isemoto Contracting was awarded the contract in 2020 and has been working on the demolition and reconstruction of the pool since 2022.
“This is a brand new pool facility,” said Maurice Messina, director of the county Department of Parks and Recreation. “It has needed upgrades for years and years, and we’re fortunate to have been able to find the funding needed to bring the pool in compliance with ADA and give the public another swimming pool.”
The 1940s facility needed a complete reconstruction of its pool deck, the spectator bleachers, the filtration and circulation system and the pool house, which includes the locker rooms, the shower rooms and a classroom.
The pool basin is the only remaining part of the original facility, and the total cost of the multi-year project was $8 million, according to Messina.
While the pool has been closed, much of its regular programming was shifted to the Kawamoto Swim Stadium, which caused stress for swim teams, staff and individuals using that pool.
“We are very excited to get our kupuna classes, keiki classes, lifeguard certifications and other programs going again, which will take some strain off the Kawamoto pool,” Messina said. “It will also be another swimming pool where we can host adaptive programming for people with disabilities.”
When the current county administration began four years ago, there were 12 ADA projects that had not been started, and now only one remains: Miloli‘i Beach Park, and its renovations are expected to begin at the end of September.
“It feels like we’re finally seeing the light at the end of a long tunnel of ADA projects,” Messina said. “One of the mayor’s commitments in the last four years was to finish all ongoing ADA projects and at least start the rest of them. It feels good to be able to follow through with that and ensure all our facilities are accessible to everyone.”
After the NAS pool reopens, the Pahala Swimming Pool will be the only closed county swimming pool, which is undergoing construction to fix problems found in the pool basin.
The official reopening ceremony for NAS pool is set for 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 3, which will then be followed by open swim time for the entirety of the first week. Classes and programs will start on Monday, Sept. 9.
While the hours are not officially set, Parks and Rec is expecting NAS pool to be open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Information about all the county pools, schedules and programs can be found at parks.hawaiicounty.gov/divisions/recreation/aquatics.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com