The Pool: Some Tough Decisions

With all of the sarcasm I can muster I want to tell you about the good news we received about our pool last night. The pool, which is almost 40 years old, has some challenges.

The Walls

After the cracks were identified steps were taken to identify the extent of the risk. First a building inspector was brought in and then engineers to evaluate the problems. The cracks are thought to be the result of some changes to the original design: the removal of part of the building and the addition of a bolted fire escape to the hollow cinder block wall.We are expecting the engineer's report tomorrow (Wednesday) including steps to be taken to mitigate the risk. Here are some preliminary options under consideration:

• repair the walls through filling the cinder blocks with a type of mix to make the wall solid and stable;
• this cost is estimated to approach $100,000.
• use temporary facilities placed next to the pool to be used for office space and change rooms (assuming the filter room walls can be repaired).
• cost not known at this time.

A Crack that goes Outside as Well, June 10, 2014

• there are a couple of walls with cracks; 
• as a precaution the building has been closed and pool staff are working from another location; 

Crack on other side of wall of previous picture, June 10, 2014

• It is thought that the cracks on this wall are a result of the fire escape ladder being cantilevered to a wall with hollow blocks. This resulted in pressure being applied to the wall for which it was not designed.

The top bolt shows how the block has compressed. June 10, 2014

The blocks that are cracked are loose. I could touch the cracked blocks near the beam and they moved a little. The other room with cracks that go to the exterior of the building are in the ladies room in one of the bathroom stalls.

Crack in Block Joint  in Ladies Bathroom,. June 10, 2014

Though this crack is hard to see it goes to the exterior of the building like the cracks in the filter room.

The Pipes

The other problem at the pool is the pipes for the filtration system have cracks and staff have not been able to start the system. Work is ongoing, including the use of cameras, to identify the cracks and solutions. No clear fix has been identified but the problem is understood to be fixable.

Access to Pipes to determine cracks. June 10, 2014

While I was at the pool Bruce, the guy who has the camera equipment to see cracks in pipes, arrived to inspect the pipes. Within the first ten feet we could clearly see three cracks in the pipes. Due to the layout of the pipes all we could see was the first ten feet. At the ten foot mark there were two 90 degree bends in succession the camera couldn't navigate. It is reasonable to assume that there are more cracks along the lines. The pool was not designed to be exposed to cold temperatures and this has hastened its deterioration.

Some Considerations

We have to be prepared for the pool to be opened later than expected or maybe not at all. We have to make a decision whether we should spend approximately $100,000 for the repairs to the wall; we are working to see if there is a safe solution for the wall that costs less. However, safety cannot be compromised; that is a tragedy we don't need. Further, to repair the pipes may require removing the pool deck to expose and replace the pipes and then laying new concrete on the deck; we have no cost estimate for that repair at this time.
Administration was directed last night to prepare for a public meeting at our next Council Meeting June 23rd to discuss the challenges and options for the pool. Your input and attendance would be most appreciated.

My hope was that we could limp along with the pool until a new aquatic centre was constructed. I am concerned that the expenses may be cost prohibitive. This leads to the question: what is the expense to our community if we do not have a functional pool for a season or two? Here are some other questions we need to consider:

• How much money do we spend on repairs?
• The walls?
• The pipes?
• Do we proceed with Phase 2 Aquatic Centre now or do we build an outdoor pool this fall to be operational next summer?
• Do we use money from reserves to make the necessary repairs remembering that money will need to be paid back into reserves at the next budget?
• Fundamentally the pool is important but how much are we willing to invest in a pool that is in the shape as I have described and the pictures show? 

Council and Administration are addressing these challenges and working to find a manageable solution.

Day Camp

Community Services staff have determined that Day Camp will be operated out of the West Central Events Centre this year rather than the pool.

Notes

• Unity built a new pool last fall.
• It is an outdoor pool with no frills and its cost was approximately $1 million. 
• An indoor aquatic centre is expected to cost $20 million or more. 
• Councillors Biberdorf, Henry, and Sackville are Council representative appointed to the arms length fundraising group to raise funds for Phase 2 the West Central Community Centre.
• We are looking for people to be a part of this group and lead it.