By Chad Klassen

Construction on schedule at Westsyde pool, uncovers mould

Sep 15, 2016 | 8:35 AM

KAMLOOPS — It’s been just a month into reconstruction of the Westsyde pool. Crews have been working to dismantle the frame of the aging roof, which has uncovered many pieces of rotting wood.

“As soon as the wall came down, you could sure see the need for the roof. It’s really mouldy and black up there on some of the beams. It’s unfortunate, but it was a high moisture building for 40 years,” says Steve Delaney from the Westsyde Community Development Society. 

Delaney says a new building is needed and has been for a while, given leaking roof issues. 

But the pool’s closure since June 2015, and the subsequent closure of the gym in July, has been an inconvience for residents and will become more so as fall nears.

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“The school kids have been busing up to the other pools. A lot of the seniors with the aquafit, they’ve been trying to do other exercises. I know there are a couple groups that exercise at Centennial Park. But most people have been just sucking it up and waiting for the pool for reopen in January.”

The city says the project is on schedule and the demolition is halfway done. Replacing the roof and insulation of the building comes in at a cost of $3.1 Million. But the work being done by D&T Development covers more than just the roof.

“There’s been some confusion. It’s not just a roofing project. We are completely removing the roof, the beams, and replacing it with a new structure in addition to that, because snow load has changed since that facility was built. We’re actually digging down to the footings and reinforcing those and creating a bigger footing and wall assembly for the new structure to sit on,” says Capital Projects Manager Darren Crundwell.

For residents in Westsyde who enjoy the pool on a regular basis, many have been forced to go elsewhere in town, some to facilities that don’t have a pool.            

Delaney is happy the community will be getting a new facility, as is the rest of Westsyde, which can’t wait for the new building to open this coming January 2017.