This past summer, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and its guests gathered in Warm Springs, Georgia to celebrate the grand reopening of the historic Franklin D. Roosevelt Treatment Pools. DEVITA is honored to have contributed electrical design services to this historical restoration.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt first visited Warm Springs in 1924, seeking relief from the effects of polio. He discovered that the mineral-rich waters of the pools brought relief to his symptoms, and he returned to Warm Springs regularly for the rest of his life.
Now part of the Roosevelt’s Little White House State Historic Site, the pools became a gathering place, not only for Roosevelt but also for countless others seeking therapy and hope. Near the end of the Second World War, on April 12, 1945, Roosevelt was relaxing at the Little White House in Warm Springs when he died suddenly of a cerebral hemorrhage.
The reopening of this historic site ensures its accessibility to future generations. DEVITA’s role in this project contributed to the design team’s objective of modernizing the facility while respecting its historic character. The restored pools not only reflect the past but also meet the needs of today’s visitors in a safe and functional way.
While generally straightforward, the electrical design scope offered a few challenges to overcome, the greatest of which involved the pool pump. DEVITA provided electrical design for a 10 horsepower (hp) pump specified by others to regulate the flow of the natural spring water and maintain minimum required levels in the pool. Existing electrical service capacity was inadequate to support the pump, so a new 120/240-volt, 1-phase, 3-wire, 600-ampere utility service was designed to support the pump addition and to provide additional future capacity to the facility.
To modulate the pump, a variable-frequency drive (VFD) was specified with control via water flow sensor. Pumps in the 10 hp range generally require 3-phase motors, so DEVITA specified a VFD derated to accommodate the single-phase input, 3-phase output configuration.
Additional design included replacement of existing deteriorated electrical panelboards and wiring, as well as a new NEC-required pool equipotential bonding system to reduce voltage gradients in the pool area.
A Celebration of Renewal
The reopening of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Pools represents more than the restoration of a historic site; it reflects the enduring significance of preservation and thoughtful design. The return of this landmark ensures its continued role as a place of reflection, healing, and community engagement.
DEVITA is honored to have supported this effort through our engineering expertise. The restored pools now serve not only as a preserved piece of history but also as a fully functional facility that will continue to benefit the Warm Springs community, the citizens of Georgia, and the nation for generations to come.