Sportsplex pool reopening delayed again

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This article was published 22/03/2016 (3591 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The reopening of Brandon’s Sportsplex pool has been pushed back, due to structural issues discovered in the waterslide mezzanine.

“It just came to light during the course of the project that it was in a little bit worse shape than we anticipated, so we’re trying to address those issues,” said Sportsplex facility manager Jeff Elliott.

While there is no firm opening date, it is now expected that the pool will be up and running by July — a year after construction began. The original timeline suggested a winter opening, which was then bumped to the spring.

Due to the nature of the project — integrating new components into an older building — there have been some hurdles along the way, Elliott said.

“You’ll always have a few … unknowns come along: where exactly should the equipment be positioned, changing it to meet new building codes, those always come into play. So integrating new into old can be a little bit challenging,” he said. The Sportsplex was built in 1978 to host the 1979 Canada Winter Games.

Elliott appeared before council Monday night requesting an additional $150,000 for the project, to cover mezzanine repairs. As the project progressed, it was determined that the corrosion on the stairs and part of the structure was worse than expected, according to Elliott’s report to council. A structural engineer has proposed repairs to the railing, deck and stairs; as well as extra sandblasting and painting.

“The proposed work covers the necessary repairs to the mezzanine structure to provide safe access to the waterslide and viewing area,” Elliot states in his report. “Without this work proceeding, the mezzanine structure will have to be decommissioned, eliminating use of the waterslide and the pool completion being delayed even further.”

Council approved the request, which will come out of the Sportsplex reserve fund.

This brings the project cost past the $4-million mark.

An audit was completed in 2013, which outlined the necessity to upgrade the pool’s mechanical systems to meet current health codes. The major overhaul includes several components — painting the entire space, replacing the pool water circulation system and the pool air handling unit, installing grating over the irregular pool edge, installing new lighting and replacing the bulkhead.

“When you’re looking at the facility, a good chunk of that money is behind the scenes with all the mechanical systems,” Elliott said.

A major component of the project still outstanding is the tiling of the pool tank, which Elliott says is very involved.

“You want to make sure that you are, first of all doing the best tiling job possible, but secondly … that you are following all of the manufacturer and installer recommendations, so that you have the warranty that comes with the product,” he said.

The work is expected to be finished in June, but there will be a time period necessary to get staff trained and acquainted with the renovated pool system.

“I’m excited. It’s moving along, maybe a little bit slower than anticipated. But there’s light at the end of the tunnel and we’re going to get there, and it’s going to be a beautiful pool,” Elliott said.

As a result of the delay, the Brandon Bluefins Swim Club won’t be back at their home pool until the fall session. The club has been using the pool in CFB Shilo during the closure.

Bluefins board member Jodee Webster said while the delay is disappointing, it is understandable.

“It’s too bad, but we’re looking forward to getting in there in the fall,” Webster said.

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