The Big Marble Go Centre will be closing its swimming pool for four months beginning in May to complete major upgrades to the pool's filtration system.--NEWS PHOTO BRENDAN MILLER
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com
The Big Marble Go Centre will be closing its swimming pool for four months beginning in May to complete major upgrades to the pool’s filtration system.
Under the city’s 2023-24 capital budget, $2.8 million was set aside to replace the water filters and address staff safety issues by improving access to its wave pool surge tanks.
Contracts have already been awarded and the upgrades are expected to begin May 15. The pool is expected to close for four months until the upgrades are complete and plans are to reopen Sept. 15.
“With a project of this scope, we weigh the benefits of a longer, single, scheduled shutdown period to minimize the risk of multiple unscheduled disruptions, versus repairing individual building components as they fail, which may lead to interrupted programming and longer wait times,” said Jeff Hoglund, facilities and asset management.
The process involves removing the top deck of the pool to access the filtration system located underneath the hot tub and lifeguard office.
The surge tanks will be replaced and the filtration and ozone systems will receive upgrades.
Recreation manager Lisa Kennedy says current access to the surge tanks is restrictive for maintenance crews, and the upgrades will make accessing the tanks easier.
“Because the surge tanks are located in such a confined space that are difficult to access, the guys can’t get in to work on it without fully draining the pool,” she said.
The upgrades will help prevent unexpected pool closures and reduce the time needed to make repairs to the filtration system.
“Not only will the system itself be improved, but the safety of the workers going in and the ability to access it to perform regular maintenance will be significantly easier as well, you won’t have to drain the pool unnecessarily every time depending on the issue,” Kennedy said.
Other city pools will be extending hours to accommodate swimmers while the Big Marble Go Centre pool is closed.
Hours of operation at Hill Pool will be extended to help accommodate user groups that normally use the Big Marble Go Centre to train or lane swim.
As well, Kennedy says swim groups will be accommodated at both Crestwood and Strathcona pools.
“Just picking up that interest in public swimming. Kids are off school for those summer months, they want to go for a swim, it gets hot. So we’re going to make sure there’s lots of opportunities for people to get into the pool still.”
The Big Marble Go Centre will also be closing its ice sheet for maintenance.
The sheet of ice will be closed from April 7 to the beginning of July to conduct ice plant maintenance needed every couple years.
“Every two years we conduct an ice plant maintenance,” Kennedy said. “And that’s just to make sure the ice plant is safe and the longevity of it is assured over every year. And also reduce any risk of unexpected shutdowns.”
Upgrades will cost $100,000 and are part of the 2023-24 capital budget.
To accommodate, the Hockey Hounds arena will be open during the upgrades. The gymnasium, field house and South Country Co-op Fitness Centre at the Big Marble Go Centre will remain open during the facility upgrades.
