A look at some of the changes coming to the Tournament Capital Centre

“The building is almost 30 years old, it needs a complete refresh and modernization,” said the City’s Facilities Manager Jeff Putnam.

The City is taking on a six-month, $13.5 million project that will see the pool’s roof and walls be completely rebuilt.

Windows will be added to the east side of the facility and the pool’s greenhouse gas emissions will be significantly reduced.

“This pool produces 10 per cent of the City of Kamloops greenhouse gas emissions, just to reheat this huge body of water between both pools,” Putnam said. “So, we’re going to be able to reduce that by 25 per cent, which is a really significant amount.”

Certain amenities, such as the sauna and steam room will be relocated for easier access.

There are also plans for a brand new entrance.

“We’re doing a little bit of reconfiguring, so when there’s an event there’s going to be an actual official entrance into the Tournament Capital Centre along this wall, the east parking lot, which I think is going to really reduce the congestion in the main lobby,” Putnam said.

The City is also planning to tackle a $600,000 replacement of the synthetic turf at Hillside Stadium.

“That will be kind of June, July timeframe, right after the BC Lions Training Camp we’ll kick in to get that field redone as well.”

During these projects, the TCC’s indoor track and gym will remain open and the City will try to accomodate swimmers at other locations.

“We will open Brocklehurst pool a lot longer than we normally would do to accomodate,” Putnam said, “so I know the recreation department is working really hard with the user groups and the public to make sure that’s open as long as feasible in the fall, as well as Westsyde Pool will be open much longer than it normally is.”

The City has applied for numerous grants to help fund the project.

by Jill Sperling

A look at some of the changes coming to the Tournament Capital Centre

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