Delta residents can expect a lengthy closure of the pool at the Ladner Leisure Centre.
The city announced Tuesday that effective March 27 through Oct. 1, the aquatic centre at the facility will be closed for mandatory roof repairs.
According to the city, regular-length swimmers, Aquafitters and water-walkers will be able to complete their circuits and classes at the Ladner outdoor pool, which is opening earlier on March 27 this year.
Delta’s other indoor aquatic centres at the Sungod Recreation Centre and Winskill Aquatic and Fitness Centre will also be available to accommodate swimmers.
The Sungod pool will also be returning to a full public swim schedule starting March 27, which will provide public swimming opportunities alongside swimming lessons.
Meanwhile, swimming lessons that would normally take place at the Ladner Leisure Centre will be held at Winskill.
Non-pool users at Ladner Leisure Centre will be unaffected by the closure of the aquatic centre.
Staff last year discovered an issue at the facility where an outside section of the swimming pool chamber roof, specifically the soffit, had detached from the building.
A report to council at the time noted staff initiated an immediate assessment of the damage and potential causes for the failure. The city hired a roofing contractor to remove the debris and temporarily secure the building envelope.
Council on Monday approved a $4,561,906 construction contract to repair the upper floor envelope of the leisure centre’s natatorium space.
The work will consist of exterior envelope replacement works, encompassing the upper level wall and glazing assemblies of the pool enclosure, a pressure plate barrel shaped roof as well as a number of separate membrane roof assembles.
In addition, mechanical work, including the expansion of existing supply air ducting within the pool space and the introduction of UV water treatment systems, have been included in the overall project scope.
Trent Reid, Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture, told council the impact on programming was considered last fall when the extent of the required work was reviewed. Every effort will be made to accommodate swim clubs and regular users as much as possible but there will undoubtedly be an impact, he said.
Referring to the closure of another part of the leisure centre eight years ago when the stucco façade on the east side of the arena fell away from the wall after the anchoring system failed, Mayor George Harvie said the natatorium safety work needs to get done.
