The quarter-century-old Innisfail Aquatic Centre has been drained and will be closed to the public until Sept. 8 while the facility receives long overdue renovations.
Earlier this year the town received approval of a $227,135 grant under the federal government's Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund for the renovations, which will be matched by the town.
The $454,000 total cost will go towards replacing the water filter and treatment systems, pumps and light fixtures in the building.
“When we have a chance for grants we have to obviously take that opportunity. We were fortunate enough as there were a lot of communities that applied for this program and didn't receive any funding,” said Terry Welsh, the town's director of community and protective services. “We put forward a solid case and received that funding.”
However, he did concede that some user groups, notably the Innisfail Dolphins Swim Club, will be inconvenienced by the temporary closure but added town council has made alternate arrangements for the club.
“There is an impact already with the Innisfail Dolphins, no question about it,” said Welsh.
He said council approved a contribution of $4,000 to the Dolphins earlier this year out of the town's community grant program to offset the club's travel costs to use the Olds swimming facility.
“The Dolphins are going to be travelling during that period in preparation for the provincials meets, throughout July and part of August,” said Welsh. “That's one of the unfortunate parts when you do this type of work if you have no way of keeping your facility running. We had to pick a time where it least impacted the greatest amount of our user groups.”
