Bloomfield Township Senior Center drops chlorine for saltwater pool system

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — Users of the Bloomfield Township Senior Center will soon be able to enjoy the indoor pool without the harmful side effects of chlorine.

On Nov. 25, the Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees voted 6-0 to hire TMI Sustainable Aquatics to convert the senior center pool to a saltwater system. Township Treasurer Michael Schostak was absent from the meeting. 

Christine Tvaroha, director of senior services, said the move would improve water quality, enhance user comfort and reduce maintenance and chemical use.

“There’s actually two very good health benefits. The primary one is when you have chlorine, it creates chloramines in the air and that’s because it mixes with the ammonia, so we’re all breathing that in that enclosed space. When you’re in an outdoor pool, it doesn’t have as much impact, but we’re indoors, so that’s going to improve the air quality — especially for anyone who might have asthma,” she said.

“The other thing is it’s much easier on people’s skin, some people have a reaction to both chlorine and bromine, so it’s much gentler on skin, which is a really big important thing for our customer base.”

The project — which is slated to cost around $57,995 — is fully funded via an Oakland County grant of $150,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds, which have already been received by the Bloomfield Township Senior Center. 

“Thus far, the Board of Trustees has approved a surfacing project for our pool and also replacement of pneumatic strength training equipment that is actually 24 years old — it’s really good stuff, but it’s time,” Tvaroha said.

The remainder of the ARPA grant funding will pay for the conversion of the senior center pool to saltwater.

“The impacts will be better air quality, and a better user — or customer — experience. It will also simplify maintenance, and reduce costs, avoiding some of the high costs of bromine that we are experiencing now,” Tvaroha explained.

Trustee Neal Barnett said he thinks the move to saltwater is “great.” 

“You don’t have all the chemicals and it’s really the trend. Most of my neighbors have saltwater and they really enjoy it. In addition, you don’t have the expense of all the chemicals,” he said.

Trustee Valerie Murray said she can’t wait to check it out.

“I think it will be awesome,” she said. 

“There are just so many benefits to it and the fact that (they) got the ARPA grant money, I think it’s a great use,” she said.

Tvaroha believes the switch might increase participation in the pool. 

“We might be the only saltwater pool open to the public in Oakland County, but we can’t verify that quite yet,” she said.

At press time, installation was scheduled for the week of Dec. 16, closing the pool for the remainder of the month. Senior Center staff said the pool will reopen in January, but the saltwater conversion won’t occur until Jan. 30.