Completely Draining a Pool for Winter

[RRD]

I understand that completely draining a pool is abnormal and not normally recommended. This pool however is 50ft wide x 50ft long with a depth of 1-3 feet. In order to winterize the pool with water in it more than half of the water needs to be drained anyway, about 23,000 - 25,000 of about 40,000 gallons, in order to keep the water below all the lines. So about 40% of the bottom of the pool isn't covered by water anyway. It's also nearly impossible to prevent algae growth and maintain chemicals in there with such shallow water and with the need to have a pump in there to pump out water every time it rains.

Is there any reason, why I can't just drain it completely, and just winterize the drains like you would a skimmer?

For reference again, it's a 50' x 50' plaster pool sunk into the ground, surrounded by sidewalks, with a depth of 1-3 ft.

Edit:And the cover is mesh, anchored into the sidewalk surrounding the pool.

 

[Catanzaro]

Can you please provide more information about pool so we can try to help you. We are looking for a description of the equipment, returns, drains, skimmers, what type of filter, pump, plumbing, etc. Pictures of everything would be extremely helpful, if not necessary with what you are trying to accomplish. Considering you are in NJ , is this pool at one of the beaches at a hotel, or a hotel?