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WORLAND – The first quarter of work has already begun at the Worland Aquatic Center (WAC) construction, and the second quarter for demolition starts today.

“By the end of this week all of the exterior brick demolition will be completed and we are going back to starting tomorrow installing the new membrane. Up on the roof (work) is being done a quarter at a time. They’re reinstalling the first quarter, starting demolition on the second quarter of it,” Washakie County School District No. 1 Business Manager Jack Stott said.

In the meantime, the competition pool is closed, Stott said.

The ongoing construction is scheduled to be completed in November and Stott gave an in-depth explanation of the construction, its origin and impact on the community during the summer months.

What’s the problem?

Stott explained an indoor pool is designed so moisture stays on the inside of the facility and can only exit through the ventilation systems.

“You might imagine a big balloon enveloping the pools. As the Worland Aquatic Center was constructed the “balloon” was not completed leaving gaps in the balloon membrane along the top edges of the walls.

These gaps have allowed moisture to escape from the building and the moisture then worked its way out through the exterior bricks leaving mineral deposits on the bricks, causing premature failure of the mortar, and soaking some insulation,” Stott said.

How will it be fixed?

“The cure is to remove exterior materials (bricks and insulation) in order to provide access so that the balloon membrane can be completed,” Stott said.

He also said “As an additional precaution and concern about premature failure of mortar on the east and west ends, the exterior materials will be removed all the way down to the ground and the balloon membrane will be upgraded on the entire wall. Once the balloon membrane is complete, new insulation and bricks will be reinstalled.”

What’s the impact on Worland?

While there is no financial impact on the school district because the funding for the repair is provided through insurance claims, Stott said, “Portions of the pool and parking lot will be shut down during different phases of the construction. We apologize for the inconvenience, and are trying really hard to minimize that type of disruption.”

A complete copy of the explanation can be found at the WAC front desk.