State of Iowa Says Cedar Rapids Pool Must Remain Closed

The state of Iowa is contesting a Cedar Rapids company's efforts to reopen a swimming pool that could pose a threat to public health.

The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that Custom Fitness is suing the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing in Polk County District Court. Linn County is also named as a defendant. The county is suing Custom Fitness over the company's alleged refusal to comply with orders that the pool remain closed to protect the public health according to the Gazette.

The lawsuit was filed in 2022 just after a case of legionnaire's disease was diagnosed in Linn County. The Gazette reports that the person who got sick had attended a swimming class at Custom Fitness and had to be hospitalized. Court records show that Custom Fitness had its pool inspected by Linn County and the Iowa Department of Public Health, after which the pool was said to be out of compliance with state regulations according to the Gazette.

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The Iowa Department of Public Health stated that unless things were repaired and corrected, the pool would remain closed. The Gazette reports that Custom Fitness then submitted plans to bring the pool to compliance, but alleges that the state never reviewed those plans. The state alleges that Custom Fitness never appealed the decision to revoke the license.

Meanwhile, the Gazette reports that Linn County's lawsuit to keep the pool closed continues. They allege that they posted notices at Custom Fitness saying the pool was closed, but that someone removed the signs and reopened the pool with state permission. A trial is set for December 17th.