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Chapel Hill's Exchange Pool needs repairs after flood damage from Tropical Depression Chantal
Families behind the member-run Exchange Pool in Chapel Hill are working tirelessly to reopen the private pool after it sustained significant damage from Sunday’s floods brought on by Tropical Depression Chantal.
Cooperatively owned and run by its members, the Exchange Pool is located at the base of Umstead Drive on the border between Chapel Hill and Carrboro.
“The floods from Sunday were catastrophic; the waters destroyed a lot of our concrete and infrastructure and left us with a huge mess,” said Grace Witsil, one of the Exchange Pool’s community owners.
According to their Facebook page, the pool was full of silt, frogs and cracked cement, and the property was heavily damaged and taken down by the heavy floodwaters. Fences were pulled down, dirt and grass filled the pool’s waters and concrete was cracked and pulled up.
As of Wednesday, the pool has raised $9,000 of its $60,000 goal, which will cover cement repair, fencing, plumbing, electrical and parking lot damage.
“We are now asking for monetary donations to get our member-owned pool back in good shape and in a better position to prevent damage like this in the future,” the pool stated on their Facebook page. “Frankly, recovery will require more funds than we currently have available.”
The Exchange Pool also hosts swim meets for their local teams. Thanks to other community pools, those teams were still able to compete at other swim spaces for the last two weeks of the swim league season.
“The Exchange has such deep relationships that our bond will stay strong in the meantime,” said Witsil. “It’s not just about our Exchange Pool community, it’s also about all of Chapel Hill. We are overwhelmed with gratitude.”
Witsil said that the pool’s community members are determined to reopen before the summer ends, as July is dedicated pool time for families before they leave for vacation or prepare for the school year in August.
Organizers are looking for volunteers to take on the heavy-duty work, but children are discouraged from taking part for their safety. If you’re interested in donating or volunteering, reach out to the Exchange Pool through their Facebook.