Quality Inn cited for health concerns
FD hotel failed pool cleanliness 6 times since Dec.By DON COGGER, Messenger staff writer
The Webster County Board of Health met Wednesday evening to discuss, among other items on their quarterly agenda, a local hotel that may not be adhering to regulations regarding swimming pool safety.
According to Webster County Sanitarian Gary Boerner, management of Quality Inn, at 2001 Highway 169 in Fort Dodge, has failed to close their indoor pool and spa, despite failing numerous tests to determine its cleanliness. Boerner said that he has visited the establishment on at least six different occasions since December. The most recent visit was Wednesday.
''When this really became an issue was when the softball tournament was in town,'' Boerner told the board. ''I went out to Quality Inn to make sure they were cooperating correctly. I had the state inspector with me that day as well. We walked in there, there were the young kids swimming in the pool, I took a test and discovered that there was absolutely no chlorine in either the pool or the spa.''
After explaining the situation to management and telling them to close the pool, Boerner made two signs declaring the pool closed by order of the Webster County Public Health sanitarian. He then placed one sign at the front of the hotel and one at the entrance into the pool.
A visit the next day found the signs taken down and the pool open for business.
''I told the manager that he needed to shut the pool down because he wasn't running it correctly, and he needed a certified pool operator to be able to open it again,'' Boerner said. ''I came back to my office, wrote the manager a letter and I wrote the corporation (Ocean Hospitality) explaining the situation. I went to the pool yesterday and found it locked. I went back today, the door was open, and I ran another test. Once again, there was no chlorine in the pool or spa.''
Board of Health Chairman Steve Beeghley said he was mortified at Quality Inn's lack of concern for the welfare of its guests.
''The solution to this problem is very simple,'' Beeghley said. ''Management is choosing not to do it. That is unacceptable.''
The manager for Quality Inn was unavailable for comment Wednesday evening.
The absence of chlorine in a swimming pool can lead to a number of different infections as the water becomes contaminated over time, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site. If proper chlorine and pH levels are not maintained, germs such as cryptosporidium, or crypto for short, can become abundant. Crypto, which causes diarreah, is now recognized as one of the most common causes of waterborne illness in the United States.
The board will now take the case to the county attorney in an effort to rectify the situation, as the Department of Health doesn't have the authority for further action on its own. Protocol needs to be followed, and taking it to the attorney's office is the next step.
''The pool needs to be closed up and taken a look at,'' Boerner said. ''People need to be aware that this is a public health risk.''
Other items on the agenda included a proposed 3 percent raise for two nurses employed by the Department of Health that passed unanimously, the hiring of a new financial coordinator and the naming of the new director of the Department of Public Health. Kari Prescott will take over for Vicki Gill in that position on Sep. 1.
Contact Don Cogger at (515) 573-2141 or dcogger@messengernews.net
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Dodger
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08-14-08 6:23 PM
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I had family stay there about 5-6 years ago when it was still a Holiday Inn. Wasn't the greatest, but they didn't have any complaints. It's disturbing to hear about this, knowing how underutilized our hotel space/resources are in this town. To know people are regularly staying here and going through experiences like this -- hopefully this is a wake-up call and something good comes out of this. A lot of people base their opinions on a town on the place(s) they stay. We can't have this happening in our own back yard.
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tta9949
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08-14-08 3:46 PM
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Well, my husband and I decieded to try and stay there one night this last winter with our children since it was one of the cheaper hotels in town. Well, we questioned ourselves before going in but did it anyways! What a mistake!! We asked for a room with no outside entrance and we got a room with an outside entrance... so we set our bags in the room and went to check out the pool....OMG!! The pool was dirty and GROSS!! The room that they were to be remodeling had a fallen in ceiling and MOLD EVERYWHERE IN THAT ROOM. There was only a broken up door between the pool and the mold! We immediately left the pool area and I went to the front desk and we checked out and got our money back! There is no way we could possibly stay there! So it was just about time something has been done about this Hotel!!
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GetReal23
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08-14-08 2:07 PM
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While this story is DEEPLY disturbing..I know of plenty Quality Inns that are very nice and the fact that the staff at this particular hotel neglected their duties doesn't necessarily mean that ALL Quality Inn's are like this one: NamVet!
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Skippy
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08-14-08 12:56 PM
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I used to stay there regtularly on my visits to Fort Dodge, but a few years ago I found I was expected to share not only the bathroom, but even the bed, with "critters" on one kind or another. I would bet that the management would soon get the pool meeting standards if the officials closed not only the pool but the entire motel. There are always ways to get the manager's attention.....
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exdodger
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08-14-08 12:45 PM
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Does this hotel have a Restaurant? If so can you imagine the violations. I wonder if the rooms could even pass an inspection.
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redwood973
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08-14-08 10:53 AM
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Maybe this is the first step: close all other pools open to the public; then the city can pass an ordinance prohibiting private pools on our own property, and ban swimming in the river so that way if the aquatic park passes the park will be the only swimming option! That way the park can have 100% of the swimming market. And yes, I’m only joking. If it’s not up to code/regulations it needs to be shut down.
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yougonow
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08-14-08 10:43 AM
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Do we really need to discuss the difference between hotel pool and natural bodies of water? If you want to check out that immunity thing, be my guest.
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Anderson
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08-14-08 10:03 AM
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Time for a Knights Inn buyout?
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fortdodgenative
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08-14-08 8:34 AM
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Who would want to stay at that dump anyways? It's been going down hill for years.
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NamVet
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08-14-08 12:37 AM
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Also, looking on google earth, can still see the uniquely shaped pool with its shining water. The pool is 45 years old now in a track of homes built in the 50's, costing around $15,000. The homes on that street now go for $450,000 to over $500,000, amazing! It is not difficult to guess the state. hint, it does not snow there.
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NamVet
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08-14-08 12:30 AM
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It is hard to imagine that the managers of the hotel can behave in this manner with out 'immediate' consequences. After all , we are talking about putting their guests at risk. I am all for these so-called mangers to be fired and to face prosecution. It is NOT difficult to maintain the water of a pool. As a child, or young teen, with a pool in our backyard, I was responsible for all pool maintenance. There is nothing to it!! On my way across country next summer, I will be sure to remember the "not so quality" Quality Inn by NOT staying there. For sure!!! It made me mad reading about their negligence. If this came across my desk as a District Attorney, I may get a list of guests, contact them to see if anyone got sick as a result of this negligence, making those responsible pay!!! Criminally and civilly, if possible, to send a clear and convincing message. Absolutely!!!
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