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New safety measures have been put in place at Waveny Pool following the vehicle crash that sent a car through the facility’s fence earlier this summer, officials say.
The most significant change is the installation of large rocks around areas where vehicles could potentially access the pool grounds, according to New Canaan Parks & Recreation Director John Howe. The Highway Department placed the rocks before the pool reopened after officials realized a car had been able to pass through a narrow gap between two trees during the crash, he said.
“We ‘hardened’ the pool, so to speak,” Howe said. “We filled in any gaps because the car went between two trees. We wanted to make sure this couldn’t happen again.”
Along with focusing only on the location where the crash occurred, town officials inspected the entire perimeter of the pool. Additional rocks were installed anywhere a vehicle could potentially fit through, including along the roadway leading toward Lapham Community Center.
“If a car can fit through, we’ve got to make sure it can’t go through,” Howe said.
The damaged fence was secured with temporary fencing on the day of the crash to maintain safety around the pool. Within a few days, the damaged section was fully replaced.
Howe said Parks & Recreation also discussed the incident with lifeguards but noted that it would be difficult to create training for such an unprecedented event.
“You and I would have to spend a lot of time trying to figure out scenarios of bad things that could happen, and this was one that I never could imagine,” he said.
Howe said he remains grateful the crash occurred about 30 minutes before the pool opened for the day. (It occurred just as the New Canaan High School graduation ceremony got underway nearby.)
“We’re so fortunate that this happened basically a half hour before we opened,” he said. “There are so many things that could have been worse.”
The town honored New Canaan lifeguards Katie Quill and Michael D’Urso for their roles in ensuring the driver’s safety. No one was injured.
Always good to think ahead for possible problems. However, is there access for an ambulance if needed?
Does that mean the Steve Benko Waveny Car Wash has closed it’s fences?