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Los Padillas open for swimming, but pool motors need to be replaced
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Los Padillas Aquatic Center has reopened, but the pool will still need a pair of antiquated motors replaced.
The South Valley pool opening initially was pushed back to June 15 because of a major pipeline repair. During the repair, more mechanical issues were discovered.
The pool’s motors are 19 years old, the same age as the pool , according to Bernilillo County spokesman Austin Munn, and cracks were causing the pool to lose pressure and overburden the motors. Those cracks have been repaired, so the pool was back in operation on Sunday.
The motors will be replaced in the offseason, Munn said. The motors must be ordered and installed by specialized vendors, and the county’s maintenance crews are dependent on the vendor’s schedule.
The cost for replacing both motors is estimated at $22,468, which breaks down to a $10,984 for each motor and a $500 freight charge.
The mechanical problems are different from issues the pool dealt with last year, when Los Padillas also had a delayed opening. In 2023, replacing the pool’s liner delayed the start of swimming season at the aquatic center.
The county has three other pools, Rio Grande, South Valley and Paradise Hills, which are also open for regular hours. All four pools should stay open until Labor Day weekend. The Alameda spray pad is closed until August.
