Columbus residents looking to cool off this weekend at the Donner Aquatic Center will have to make other plans.

Jim Lemke, Columbus Parks and Recreation Aquatics Director Jim Lemke, says that the leisure pool and slide needed repairs. He explained that cracks had formed in the sealant of the pool and slide. He added that the initial plan was to make the repairs weeks ago, but the weather simply has not cooperated. Along with the heavy rainfall, Lemke said, “we went straight from winter to summer with no spring.” The extremes in recent temperature differences only exacerbated the delay in getting repairs underway.

We spoke with Lemke Thursday afternoon after he spoke with contractors. At this time, he says the goal is to open the aquatic center to the public on Monday, June 4th. Lemke explained that the sealant repairs have been made, but will take five days or so to cure. Once that is done, the hope is to fill the pool with water May 29th or 30th. Lemke says this will give staff just enough time to treat the water for a three-day swim meet scheduled for June 1-3.