Employees at the Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center are getting prepared for the facility’s closure that begins Sept. 1.

The area receiving the most attention is the natatorium, or pool areas, which includes the large and small pools and the hydrotherapy pool. Projects include modifications mandated by the Virginia Graeme Baker Act, which requires public swimming pools to install anti-drowning drain covers or face being shut down. The law, passed by Congress in 2007, aims to prevent drain suction from trapping children under water. The law applies to pools and spas used by the public, including city pools and those at hotels, private clubs, apartment buildings and community centers.

Workers will modify drains in the large pool and install a muffler to slow down the water flow rate. A variable speed drive motor will be installed on the large pool pump to assist in the regulation of the flow rate.

They will replace the filtration media and screens in all the pools, repair some tile and do some touch-up painting in the small pool.

The gymnasium and racquetball courts will be sanded and refinished. The parking lot lines will be repainted and outside areas will get some landscaping work.

The staff is using this time to get recertified in CPR, automated external defibrillator, first aid and blood-borne pathogen training.

The pool area and locker rooms will be closed the entire month of September; the rest of the facility opens Sept. 16.

The estimated cost of this year’s maintenance closure is $75,000.