The region may have just seen its first appreciable winter storm, but that’s not going to stop me from writing about a decidedly summer distraction: pools.
A new federal law tailored to increase the safety of public pools and spas, called the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, goes into effect Dec. 19.
It calls for upgrades to suction and drainage equipment that officials say cayse one or two deaths every year in the United States. The new law –named after the the granddaughter of James Baker, a former U.S. Secretary of State, who died in 2002 when she was caught in the drain at a private spa — will require that all public and community pools install drain covers that can prevent the deaths.
Thousands of pools across the county could be forced to close, at least temporarily, for failing to comply.
But Eileen Larrabee, a spokeswoman for the New York State Office of Parks & Recreation, said any issues at the Peerless Pool or the Victoria Pool in Saratoga Spa State Park should be addressed before their scheduled opening this summer.
“We’re aware of the law, we’re surveying the pools and taking steps to comply,” she said. “There are some modifications that may need to be made but they should not interrupt operations.”
– Drew Kerr
This entry was posted on Friday, December 12th, 2008 at 4:03 pm and is filed under Saratoga Snippets, Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
3 comments:
I didn't realize that compliance with the law is considered an "excuse". You should hope that the OPRHP is able to make the necessary repairs with their current budget and keep the pool open for you entitled complainers at all!
isn't there covers over the drains of the pool. I figure since you all are enjoying the water and swimming about in the magical waters amid the towering pines and stately Harvard bricks, you would have noticed this.... I hardly use the state pools for swimming and even i notice this. this just shows that this society is trying to get something going. Get life.. It's December, not even close to June <- when the pools open. When they have traditionally opened. Traditionally as in more often than not... I wouldnt expect this for at least another 6 MONTHS!!!!
The fact that the pool doesn't open until the last weekend in June doesn't come with any excuses just one simple fact: It opens when its supposed to open. Memorial Day is a silly pipe dream, smoke it!
Post a Comment