By Chad Klassen

An inside look at the new Westsyde Pool

Jul 5, 2017 | 1:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — It’s been closed for more than two years, but the finishing touches are being put on the refurbished Westsyde pool, which is two months away from re-opening. 

“We’re still on track for September. We’re getting pretty close,” said the city’s capital projects supervisor Matt Kachel. “We may be done a little sooner, but depends on the weather. Looks like it’s going to be good right now. We still have some stucco to do, but things are looking really good.”

For the first time since it closed in June 2015, CFJC Today got a tour of the inside of the building, something Westsyde residents have long been waiting for. 

When it opens on the Labour Day long weekend, it will look totally different compared to how it was before. 

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“It’s going to be a very bright atmosphere with a lot bigger air volume now with the increased roof height,” said Kachel. “We’ve also looked at at replacing some toys. Those are still on order. I’m hoping they’ll be there for September 1.”

That will include a new, more modern climbing wall and rope swing. The biggest difference, however, is the roof, which caused the pool to shut down in the first place.

It’s a similar design to the Canada Games pool at the TCC and will be an improvement in managing moisture in the building. 

“This is a better design for a pool, meant to be moist and wet. So with the exposed structure, when condensation happens it will form on the inside of the envelope. Air movement can get at it and it allows it to dry. So it’s not going to trap moisture like the old system did.”

The pool and the deck have been left untouched in the limited $3 million budget. But Kachel says the pool is in good shape. 

“I don’t know an exact timeline [for the life of the pool], but when we did the original building assessment the tank and tile work was looked at as part of the overall building review,” noted Kachel. “We were told the pool actually is in very good shape for its age. It’s been well maintained. Every year it’s been drained and re-grouted, so as long as you keep up with the maintenance it should last a really long time.”

Despite delays along the way, the city says it’s glad it took the time to get everything right. 

“Obviously there’s been a bit more effort on our part to try and see this thing to the finish line. The approach was good and the solutions are what we expected, so things are coming together,” said Matt Kachel, the city’s capital projects supervisor. “I’m glad we took the time we needed to take with this building to make sure everything was done perfect.”