DECATUR - Nelson Park Pool will be closed this year, because of a leak discovered in its main drain, about 15 feet below the pool.

The leak was discovered a few weeks ago, when the pool was first filled with water for the swim season.

"The water kept running out," said Bill Clevenger, Decatur Park District director. "It was filled up again, and it ran out again."

Clevenger said the cost to repair the drain and a rotting pool filter would be about $150,000.

Even if the work, which would include cutting the floor out of the deep end, were to begin soon, it would not be completed until near the end of the swim season.

Instead of reopening Nelson Park Pool this year, district leaders have opted to unite with Millikin University to consider constructing a new joint aquatic facility.

"Our goal would be to replicate the successful community partnership model achieved in the construction of the DISC (Decatur Indoor Sports Center)," said Jack Kenny, park district board chairman.

If it is decided that a new pool or pools will be built, Nelson Park Pool probably will not be reopened, Clevenger said.

Various options are being considered.

"A water park might be part of the discussion," Clevenger said.

A pool was built at Nelson Park in the late 1960s. A larger, Olympic-size pool was completed in 1991.

The pool used by Millikin students at Griswold Center was built in the 1970s, said Rich Dunsworth, Millikin vice president for enrollment.

"The pool we have at Griswold Center is OK, but we'd like to have something more competitive for swim meets," Dunsworth said, adding it is located in a "big box" with no windows. "It was state of the art 30 years ago. It's not anymore."

Leaders of Millikin and the park district began talking about building a new swim facility before the Nelson Pool sprung a leak, but the leak has caused them to bring the issue into focus.

Dunsworth said they already have identified a consultant who might be hired to help explore the possibilities.

"This was something we've been thinking about doing," Dunsworth said. "This made it more pressing. Now is the opportunity to see what's out there."

Huey Freeman can be reached at hfreeman@herald-review.com or 421-6985.