With summer approaching, the Chester Area Pool is without an operational heater for its main pool. In light of this, the Chester Borough Council gave Mayor Robert L. Davis permission on Tuesday night to find an alternative heating solution if necessary, as long as the cost does not exceed the $3,600 the borough has in the pool’s budget.

“It depends on (the cost),” said Borough Administrator Valerie Egan. “If it’s more than $3,600, we have to agree on it and we have to get quotes.”

It has been speculated that the resurfacing of the pool has caused loose “Diamond Brite” surfacing material particles could cause damage to the pool’s heater if they are not filtered before reaching the device.

“The Diamond Brite that goes on the pool gets brushed, so there are particles that go through the heater. They said that those particles probably shouldn’t go through the heater,” Egan said. “I don’t know if the heater is (reached) before the filter or after the filter.”

Egan also speculated that an alternative heating solution could only be temporary once the surfacing material settles.

“They brush (the surface) for a couple of weeks, and I guess there’s that much more of the particles in those first couple of weeks,” Egan said. “Eventually, it’s got to calm down a bit.”

Counciman Tim Iversen, who serves as the council’s liaison to the Chester Area Pool Committee, feels that finding a solution, even if it’s temporary, will be of benefit to the pool’s patrons.

“If we need an alternative heating solution, we should investigate if one is possible and line that up,” Iversen said. “I think we’ve made it quite clear that we want to fulfill that obligation to the membership.”