Splashing into spring: Misawa pool reopens

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jordyn Fetter
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Just in time for the onset of spring, Misawa's Himberg Pool reopened for families and individuals to enjoy recreational and fitness swimming, March 25.

After more than nine months of renovation, the construction project on the facility was completed.

For three weeks in September 2014, Airmen from the 35th Civil Engineer Squadron surveyed the 5,177 square foot facility and determined it was in need of its first touch-up in more than a decade.

"The main purpose [of construction] was to replace the liner of the swimming pool since there were scratches and bubbles on the bottom of it," said Satoshi Nogawa, the 35th Contracting Squadron chief of construction flight.

As work began on the pool, the hired contractor removed the previous liner and surveyed the condition of the foundation.

"Before replacing the vinyl sheet, the contractor noticed there was a bubble between the paint and concrete basement," said Nogawa. "The concrete was so aged that some kind of atmosphere came from the concrete and remained between the paint and concrete floor."

The contractor determined the best way to resolve the issue was to replace the entire vinyl sheet and baseboard plate, resulting in repairs totaling $735,463. To ensure the suggested method was appropriate, the 35th CONS consulted with the 35th CES and an outside contractor.

Once the U.S. government accepted the proposal, construction began.

Throughout the duration of the project, the 35th CONS reviewed both daily and bi-weekly progress reports submitted by the contractor. They also made a site visit once every two weeks during the construction.

"Communication with the contractor is especially important with something of this magnitude and with periods [of construction] that are this long," said Master Sgt. Tavis Salas, the 35th CONS NCO in charge of infrastructure flight. "We kept constant interaction to make sure everything was going as planned and as scheduled."

Accompanying the liner replacement, renovations were done to the facility's floor, offices, windows and walls.

"The care of Misawa's facilities is a quality of life matter," said Salas. "Being at a remote location, these amenities are a part of what keeps us motivated and busy here with our dependents."

As for the project itself, Nogawa attributed its successful completion to the planning, discussion and teamwork between the 35th CONS, 35th CES and the local contractor.  

"It's the guys behind the scenes who make these big magnitude projects happen," said Salas. "It's a great feeling to know you and your team had a hand in it."

The renovated Himberg Pool is open to everyone with access to Misawa AB and free for use.