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City manager warns well VFD could keep well offline up to 60 days; pool closed after boiler failure; playground installation pushed to July
Summary
City Manager reported the primary well’s variable frequency drive has failed and could take up to 60 days to replace, the municipal pool was temporarily closed after a boiler failure, and city staff expect donated playground equipment installation in mid‑to‑late July.
City Manager reported multiple infrastructure and operations issues that could affect services this summer: a failed variable frequency drive (VFD) on the primary well, a pool boiler failure that closed the municipal pool temporarily, a delay in playground installation, and upcoming outreach about temporary construction easements for the Gateway to Glacier project.
“We could be without the well for up to 60 days as they reconstruct a new variable frequency drive,” the city manager said, noting the city is pursuing backup options and working with electricians and engineers. The manager said the city is monitoring the situation closely because the outage would occur during a busy season when demand is high.
The pool closed after a boiler failure following the weekend opening. A city official said the boiler is “just over 10 years old” and that technicians sourced a likely replacement component from Kalispell; the pool was expected to be closed for repairs and to reopen if repairs go well. “They were able to pick up a new component in Kalispell,” the manager said; city staff expected the pool could be closed for a short period while the part was installed and tested.
Playground equipment donated for Columbus Park has arrived and is staged at the streets department, but installation is delayed until public works has capacity; staff now expect mid‑to‑late July installation. On the Gateway to Glacier project, the city will mail temporary construction easement requests to about 60–70 property owners along corridor streets to allow driveway connections and grading work during construction.
Other operational items mentioned included CFAC, EPA and DEQ coordination on a diversion ditch (CFAC funding the work), ongoing streetline and crosswalk repaving plans in coordination with MDOT, hydrant maintenance by the fire department, and new police officer hires coming on board later in the month. The manager and chiefs noted there were staffing constraints that affect scheduling of installations and maintenance.
No formal council action was recorded on these items; they were presented as manager and department reports for council information.
