Sportsplex pool reopening pushed back

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This article was published 09/12/2015 (3695 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Swimmers will have to wait a little longer before they can dive back into Brandon’s refurbished Sportsplex pool.

The $3.9-million renovation project has reached the halfway point, and the facility is expected to be up and running by April — a few months later than the originally expected.

“There are some major hurdles we have to get through — probably the hardest thing is when you’re trying to marry new to old,” said Sportsplex facility manager Jeff Elliott. “There can be a few unknowns, but we’re trying to stay within those budgetary numbers.”

Elliott provided an update on the project on Tuesday, showing community leaders the progress so far, including new LED lights, an addition to house a new air handling unit and the painted roof.

“The roof may not look different to some of you, but it was a mustard yellow colour, very good from the ’70s,” Elliott said. “Now it’s this nice bright, new white colour.”

The Sportsplex was built in 1978 to host the 1979 Canada Winter Games.

Elliott has been working at the Sportsplex since 1981, working as an ice attendant and cleaner to chief engineer and now facility manager. He’s thrilled to see the project moving forward.

“I know it’s a very expensive project, but to replace a building like this nowadays, would probably be $20-30 million,” he said. “Structurally we’re sound … we have lots of life left in our building, so I see this as a beginning and hopefully we could move forward on other capital projects down the road.”

The project has been years in the making. In 2011, the city and province agreed to cost-share a $1-million upgrade, but after the city’s bid to host the 2017 Canada Summer Games was rejected, the project was put on hold.

An audit was completed in 2013, which outlined the necessity to upgrade the pool’s mechanical systems to meet current health codes. The city went back and reviewed the necessary upgrades, and it was more than triple the original estimate.

The redevelopment project hit a bit of a snag last year, as a fall tender brought in only two bids, which were both well above the budget established for the project. A review and redesign was completed by administration to find potential cost savings while still meeting regulations.

Construction finally began in July and includes several different 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.

“Codes have changed drastically since 1978, so when you’re doing a job of this calibre you have to update to meet today’s codes,” Elliott said.

The plan is to add windows to the south wall of the pool facility.

“Having some natural light is going to be a huge addition to the space that we’re really excited about,” Elliott said.

The concrete is being sandblasted to prepare for pool tile installation, which is expected to happen within a few weeks.

Elliott said Manitoba Health has been “very involved in the process” to make sure the building will meet all codes and requirements.

“We know that the World Health Organization has drafted guidelines for indoor pool air quality, so we’re getting ahead of the curve by … providing this state of the art air handling unit for the space,” Elliott said, adding they are also addressing some accessibility issues.

“We know there’s been some roadblocks over the years, so we’re making inroads on that on different types of equipment, different ramp entry … trying to make it as accessible as possible.”

Brandon East NDP MLA and Municipal Government Minister Drew Caldwell re-committed the $500,000 that was originally promised for the project, through the Building Manitoba Fund.

“This facility has been an essential part to recreation in Brandon since 1979,” Caldwell said. “It’s extraordinarily well used by people throughout western Manitoba, it’s been the host to national events with international competitors.”

Mayor Rick Chrest said the facility is an “integral part” of the city’s recreation infrastructure.

“It’s well underway and we’re … all waiting for the day when the work is done and the people of Brandon and western Manitoba can get back in the pool again.”

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