NORWICH – With the kick-off of summer less than a month away, Norwich City officials still aren’t sure that the Kurt Beyer Pool in Rotary Park will be open this season.

The pool is in need of repairs that could cost tens of thousands of dollars – money that the Common Council says may extensively exhaust the city’s budget.

City DPW Superintendent Carl Ivarson explained some of the city’s repair options at a meeting of the Joint Committees earlier this month. The lining of the inside of the pool is cracked, he said, causing water to seep behind the walls which could lead to further damage down the road.

Ivarson said although the city has the $16,000 to $20,000 in reserves to make a temporary fix in time for summer, it would deplete nearly half the city’s reserve account.

Estimates for a long-term fix are even more costly – roughly $40,000 to $60,000 for a new pool lining that would last the next 20 years.

So the question now is, is a band-aid fix worth the cost? And if not, will the city invest in long-term repairs?

“It’s a frustrating thing,” said Ward Two Alderman Brian Doliver. “The pool is incredibly popular and it’s obviously used. It’s just a very expensive endeavor to have it open for just six weeks.”