SUNDRE – Despite taking a bit longer than originally anticipated, the main indoor pool and the leisure pool at the Sundre Aquaplex are expected to reopen Tuesday at noon.
Aquaplex officials made the announcement Monday, Oct. 28. The pools had been closed since Sept. 6 for renovations to bring them up to code.
When the Albertan caught up last week with Kari McQuaid, the Sundre and District Aquaplex’s manager, she said while the pool had already been refilled at that time, the water was only at 24C and was still being warmed up.
The main pool must have a temperature of 28C while the leisure pool has a setting of 32C, she said on Oct. 22, adding the water must also be tested and approved prior to reopening to the public.
“One round of the microbiological tests have to be approved by Alberta Health to confirm we are good to open. They go in weekly when we are operational to ensure water quality,” she said, adding a sample was sent last week with the results anticipated back early this week.
As to how the extended closure impacted revenues with patrons and the public unable to access the pool for the better part of two months, the manager said, “Financially, we don’t have everything summarized.”
She added there was little choice other than to carry out the work, which included upgrades that brought the pool to code.
“The majority of the work needed to be done, even though it was costly,” she said.
That lengthy list included: cleaning and resealing underwater lights; replacing overhead lighting with LED lights; re-grouting the leisure pool as well as the much larger main pool basins and the change room showers; fixing broken tiles; repainting most of the walls around the pools; installing the suction diverters in the main pool to meet anti-entrapment standards; replacing the waterslide and main pool pumps; sanding and repainting lockers; repairing numerous leaks in the basement; as well as a lot of repainting in the change rooms and some other walls and doors throughout the facility.
The Aquaplex, which shares an entrance with the Sundre Curling Club, also has an indoor fitness centre boasting an array of workout equipment that remained open throughout the pool’s renovations.
While both Mountain View County and the Town of Sundre provide funding to keep the facility open, the indoor pool and fitness centre is governed by a volunteer board of directors with the Sundre and District Aquatic Society.
As such, the facility is unique in Alberta as it is not fully funded by government, which makes fundraising a crucial part of the ongoing effort to maintain and keep the pool operational.
There are some full-time staff, but volunteers also play a pivotal role and the society is inviting anyone who might be interested in getting involved and helping out to consider signing up either in person at the Aquaplex or by calling 403-638-9370 to join the database.
Opportunities to pitch in will be communicated by email as well as the Aquaplex’s page on social media enabling volunteers to choose their availability.
Visit www.sundreaquaplex.com for more information about the facility.
