City of Industry Will Keep Pool Open

The Industry Hills Aquatics Complex no longer faces closure because of rising operating costs, said Philip Iriarte, city manager for the City of Industry.

The facility, which prepared 11 swimmers for the Olympic trials last summer, was poised to be shut down Sept. 9 in part because of skyrocketing utility bills.

Iriarte announced Wednesday that the city-owned facility, which is leased to a private property management company, will continue operating year-round without cutting services or programs. Iriarte said the city will cover any monthly costs that exceed revenues received from the swim complex.

“The city is going to pick up the shortfall,” Iriarte said.

In addition, the city also plans to renovate the facility’s methane collection system and underground boilers that were installed on the former landfill 20 years ago. Over the years, the facility has relied less on methane to heat the pool because its quality became weaker and the system grew more expensive to maintain.

Richard Shipherd, coach and executive director of the Industry Hills Aquatic Club, said the facility lost about $85,000 last year, spending $103,000 on utilities, and anticipates natural gas costs will double this winter.