The pool will reopen Aug. 15 after being closed for the better part of a month and a half.
According to a joint release issued by the City and the Cariboo Regional District, the pool will reopen barring any unforeseen issues.
The most recent repairs have resulted in a significant reduction in water loss from the main tank. However, there continues to be ongoing leakage which will require more comprehensive, long-term repairs in the near future.
Assessments during the recent repairs revealed a variety of age-related defects and deterioration of the main tank that must be addressed in order to ensure the long-term integrity of the pool tank and to prevent the continued loss of water, the release says. Costs and timelines for the repairs are being prepared.
Approximately 10 part-time pool staff and instructors were laid off when the closure was announced June 30. Four full-time staff remained on the job completing maintenance – cleaning and repair – that would have been undertaken during the pool’s annual three-week shutdown. They were scheduled to receive layoff notices earlier this; however, with the pool’s reopening that will not occur.
On Friday, director of community services Geoff Paynton said he was hopeful that all the problems have been found and thanked the community for its patience. Mayor and Central Cariboo co-chair Kerry Cook said, “It’s been a great pool for a long time, but it is starting to show its age.”
CRD’s Central Cariboo co-chair and area F director Joan Sorley said, “We are pleased the repairs to the pool are complete….” Sorley suggested the City and CRD joint recreation committee may re-evaluate their capital project priorities to maintain existing infrastructure before moving forward with new service offerings.
