The indoor pool at the Drumheller Aquaplex has been closed to the public since July 10 of this year due to substantial repairs required after a potential leak discovered by facility staff led to the discovery of a medium-sized void.
Initially it was anticipated these repairs would be completed and the facility reopened in October, however, during an update to Drumheller Town council during the regular Tuesday, October 3 council meeting, it was noted this reopening date has been pushed back to at least the third week of November due to a number of factors, including material delays.
“Our Aquaplex staff have been working hard to accommodate the changes that come their way, as well as to ensure patrons are being taken care of throughout the process,” read a statement from the Town of Drumheller. “Anyone with an Aquaplex-only membership will have their next payment, as of October 6, paused.”
Similar to the regular, annual closure of the Aquaplex, once the full length of the closure has been determined upon reopening, “extensions will be added onto memberships,” which will include multi-facility and Aquaplex-only membership types.
Other programs, such as swimming lessons, have also been adjusted with the anticipated reopening in terms of session dates and deadlines; those already registered will be contacted by facility staff regarding new dates and session information.
Along with repairs to fix the void, there has also been other work ongoing during the closure, including the relocation of the northwest emergency exit door due to flood mitigation work in the area, and replacement of the facility’s make-up air handling unit.
The door has been delivered and, at this time, has been sent for coating prior to installation.
However, there have been delays in procuring the make-up air handling fan and grates. These are expected to arrive on site the week of October 9, with installation to begin shortly after these are received.
Knibb Developments Ltd., who were contracted to complete the void repair work, began removing concrete flooring on September 27, and the new backwash system is expected to be ready for testing the week of October 23; if all goes well during this testing, it is estimated another two weeks of construction will be required to backfill and pour the new concrete floor.
Once this is complete, one of three sand filters will be repaired. This cannot be done until the void repair is completed as the mechanical room does not have enough space to allow two contractors to work simultaneously.
The sand filter repair is expected to be completed the third week of November, after which time the Aquaplex could be reopened.
By Lacie Nairn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, DrumhellerMail.com
Original Published on Oct 10, 2023 at 14:53
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