North Whidbey Park and Recreation commissioners are considering whether all the large picture windows at John Vanderzicht Memorial Pool need replacing.

At December’s board meeting, Craig Carlson, pool director, stated that Mel Elvenak, from Island Paint and Glass, said all of the pool’s large picture windows were OK.

In June 2006, Paul Verderico, the service manager for Simmons Glass who is the local Milgard distributor from Anacortes, did an inspection of the pool’s windows. At that time, he reported that a normal double-pane window’s service life is approximately 15 to 20 years.

The pool’s windows were installed in 1982.

Information submitted on Feb. 15 by Commissioner Tom Johnson indicated that in Verderico’s report, he noted 32 of the 47 windows showed signs of insulation failure due to water condensation stains between the panes of glass.

In 2006 the board budgeted $119,000 for utilities and spent $130,430, an $11,430 increase.

In 2007 the board budgeted $145,000, 16 percent of the budget, for utilities.

Johnson stated that utility rates continue to rise and one way to lower them would be to replace the energy-inefficient picture windows.

“It is prudent, in my opinion, to look into replacing them to improve our heat loss,” he said.

Board Chair Sally Dillon said she thought the upper windows should be looked at first.

“I would like to see the heat loss calculations to see if replacement is necessary,” she said. “We don’t have the money to replace them all, but I think we should look at the ones which may need replacing and look into getting some bids.”

Each window would cost approximately $1,500, not including the cost of installation.

The monthly directors report indicated 8,816 people used the pool during January.

“This figure is down a little from 2006 because of the bad weather we had,” Carlson said.

A new security alarm system has been installed and was tested by the Oak Harbor Fire Department.

“The alarm system is quite sensitive and we have had some problems with it,” Carlson said. “Right now a mouse could trip it so we have a few things we need to get worked out, but it is working well.”

Carlson said the Hawaiian Luau was a big success with more than 90 people attending and the Daddy Daughter Dessert dance has been rescheduled for March 23. The event will be from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Carlson said the fire department recommended the district purchase an automated external defibrillator.

“I think this is a good idea,” he said “I’m pretty sure the Fidalgo Pool has one and I think we should look into obtaining one ourselves.”

Dillon questioned the safety of having such a piece of equipment being used by a wet lifeguard on a wet victim and what the liability would be.

Carlson said the equipment is entirely different than the ones you see in use in hospital emergency rooms with the two paddles.

“They operate differently and there is no shock hazard,” he said.

The machine costs approximately $3,000 and Carlson was directed by the board to check into obtaining one.

“It’s worth the money if it will save someone’s life,” Johnson said.