Photo courtesy of Tom Bolin The Marshall Area YMCA pool upgrade includes the lap pool, the zero depth entry pool and a water slide ladder replacement.

MARSHALL — The Marshall Area YMCA aquatics center looks vastly different this winter because of a renovation project.

The lap pool, the zero depth pool and the spa were drained Dec. 30 for a five- to six-week construction process. Contractors began their work on Jan. 2.

“They came in right away and have made good progress,” said Marshall Area YMCA Executive Director Tom Bolin. “We seem to be running ahead of schedule. At this rate we should easily be ready to re-open as planned.”

The $325,000 project is being funded strictly through donations. About $300,000 has been raised from nearly 100 donors.

YMCA swimmers have been advised that they have the opportunity to use the pool at Southwest Minnesota State University. The SMSU Women’s swim team and the Southwest Swim Club previously used the YMCA’s pool during an SMSU renovation.

Contractors for the YMCA project include Northern Pool Restoration of Blaine for the pool basins, Swede Brothers of Ham Lake for the pool deck, and Bend Rite Fabrication of Marshall for the water slide ladder replacement.

Bolin said it was necessary to do the renovation in the winter since one of the contractors spends every summer working only on outdoor projects.

“It came down to when we could get a contractor,” he said. “If we wanted a company with plenty of pool experience at a favorable price we needed a winter timeframe.”

The YMCA pool was the site of swimming lessons for 870 young people in 2022, and was also a site for 72 water fitness participants. A total of 20 lifeguards for area pools earned their certification at the YMCA in the past year.

The pool facilitates 35 full-time and part-time jobs. Bolin said some of the staff are working in other parts of the facility during the construction, but that most were put on temporary leave.

He doesn’t expect the construction period to cause any budget issues. Money saved by not paying pool staff should help to make up for any lost revenue.

“The money donated to the project demonstrates strong public support for the YMCA,” Bolin said. “The biggest concern is the possibility that we might lose some guards if they take other jobs and decide to keep them. Other than that, we expect things to fall in line. Pool participation should be strong again after it opens.”

He considers the pool renovation an important investment in the YMCA’s future. It’s the first major upgrade to the lap pool and zero depth pool since they first opened in 2003. The spa was upgraded several years ago.

“It shows that we plan to be part of Marshall for many years to come,” he said. “We haven’t totally rebounded from the pandemic. I’ve heard rumors that range from us closing in 2023 to the idea that we’re doing better than ever. The truth is somewhere between those two extremes.”

At least several people posted comments on social media about the pool project in the past two weeks. One YMCA member said the planned closure motivated her to complete a distance lap swimming goal.

Ruth Bot of Minneota posted that she considers the project necessary and that she’s looking forward to coming back to a renovated pool.

“I love construction projects,” Bot said. “The YMCA pool is being renovated. I miss swimming now, but it will be worth it in five to six weeks.”