Failed Valve Closes Underwood Pool; Reopening Unclear

Could this past Sunday have been the final time Belmont residents had a chance to take a swim at the historic Underwood Pool?

What should have been , the town's well-known swimming pool has seen and for safety reasons and on Monday, a valve in the pool's filter house failed forcing the pool to close before the afternoon session. 

According to the , workers from the town's Department of Public Works will "try to repair this but as of now we are closed until further notice," according to a press release. 

But with the pool scheduled to close in 12 days on Sunday, Sept. 2, a decision to call an early end to the season is an option, said a pool employee today. 

There is precedent for the town to close the pool early. Last year, the Underwood was closed a week early after

If the decision is made to end the season, it could be the final time the pool is closed as the Board of Selectmen and the Department of Public Works have to be situated on a nearby plateau.

The move would also be facilitated by the need for the town to replace a playing field used by Belmont High School and youth sports teams that would be acquired to build a new town library across Concord Avenue from the current pool.