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For years, many in the community have known what a great swimming pool we have in San Manuel. However, one of the drawbacks has always been that the water has been a little cooler than most people prefer. In 2010, the swim team installed a solar heating system and has added solar capacity every year since. This past year a local Boy Scout, Alec Newman, added solar capacity as his project for the rank of Eagle Scout.
Additionally, the big step of getting covers on the pool to help retain the heat produced by the solar systems was finally achieved in 2014. Money raised by the Sea Lions Swim Team, the San Manuel High School Swim Team and Community Schools was just enough to purchase covers (and the reels necessary to remove and store the covers).
During the high school swim season last fall, the covers helped keep the water warm enough to comfortably practice in San Manuel through the end October. This spring, the combination of the covers and the solar system has already warmed up the water to temperatures over 75°F, temperatures not usually seen until June! This allows the Sea Lions to begin practice in early April this year for the summer season as well as makes the pool available for other uses.
There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.
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