Dan Muser was not too excited about guestimating the total cost of repairs to Cape Central Municipal Pool.

He said part of the reason is that he hadn't seen all the bills yet. But he also said, once people see a number in print, they tend -- and I paraphrase -- to lock in on it. But I pressed the question and he said "between $15,000 and $20,000."

The industrial-strength motorized pump will cost an estiamted $11,000; the repaired pump, which will be used ove the short term, cost the city $3,300. Muser said other costs include valve repairs and equipment installtion.

He's heard some criticism for the mechanical breakdown. I asked him to what extent lack of maintenance was an issue.

"You have a car," he said. "Do you keep an altenator, a generator, a fuel pump on hand and replace it whether they need it or not? No. You don't replace a light bulb because you think it's going to go out. People criticize us for not doing some things, but at the same time, I could mention a million things people don't do."

As for the length of time the pool is closed, Muser said he didn't want to issue an overly optimistic date, only to disappoint people if it had to be moved back.

I spoke with Gary Stopke, the sales rep from the St. Louis-based Cardinal Pump, the company the city ordered the replacement Fybroc pump and motor.

Stopke told me Central Municpal Pool's motorized pump no longer routinely produced.

"It's all handmade, similar to a fast boat," he said. "There's curing times involved and machining that has to be done. If it's not a standard unit they're doing everyday, it has to be worked into the production schedule."

In the meantime, the old pump has a new motor and Muser's staff is working on getting it installed. It's not a permanent solution, but I'm told that it should serve as a back-up in the event of future pump problems.

What do you think of the city's solution for the pool?

Do you stockpile spares around your house or business? What do you double up on?