Westsyde pool faces pricey roof repair, lengthy closure

UPDATE — The Westsyde indoor pool will close effective June 15 as the City seeks a detailed design for a new roof and come up with cost estimates.

The roof has been severely damaged by moisture from the inside and council was told at its meeting today (April 14) that engineers say the facility can’t be kept open.

Facilities manager Jeff Putnam told council the minimum cost could be $1.3 million but as much as $2.1 million. Detailed cost estimates will be included for discussion in the 2016 financial plan discussions.

The closure, which will be in effect until the fall of 2016, will affect only the pool area; other parts of the facility will remain open.

NEWS/ CITY HALL — The troubled Westsyde indoor pool may be in for a new roof and a lengthy closure.

A report going to City council on Tuesday recommends the pool be closed from June this year to the fall of 2016 to allow replacement of its leaky roof.

The 40-year-old pool building has had moisture problems for years but things came to a head in January when an interior roof leak caused the interior ceiling to fail and drop. That closed the pool for fear of things falling on people.

The problem was found to be failure of the vapour barrier system that allowed moist, warm, interior air to get into the insulation between the ceiling and the roof, damaging the laminated beams “to the point that they no longer function as intended and create a potential risk for occupants in the pool area.”

A $30,000 temporary repair job got the pool reopened for spring. The permanent solution is to replace the roof at an estimated cost of between $1.3 million and $2.1 million depending.

Closure would affect only the pool area, while the fitness centre, change rooms, lobby, hot tub, sauna and steam rooms could remain open. Some swim programs may be moved to the Canada Games Pool.

Other options to be put to council are to close the pool area permanently or turn it into an outdoor pool.