By Vanessa Ybarra

Westsyde Pool contract dispute inches towards a resolution

Feb 15, 2017 | 6:45 PM

KAMLOOPS — It’s been over a year and a half since the Westsyde Pool closed it’s doors after it was discovered the facility had a faulty roof and it’s been sorely missed by many in the community.

The building was originally scheduled to reopen at the end of January.

However that plan came to a screeching halt after D&T Developments, the company hired to replace the leaking roof, installed the wrong roofing material back in December.

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For the past few months, the company and the city have been swimming in circles over who is at fault for the costly mistake, with no word yet on a resolution.

While the project’s pause has been frustrating for workers, Westsyde residents are growing increasingly impatient with the delays.

“I know the public’s frustrated and the city is as well,” said Darren Crundwell, Capital Projects Manager with the City of Kamloops. “Anytime we have a dispute though, we work with the consultant and the contractor to try and resolve it. We are getting close.”

The city maintains the onus is on D&T Developments or its consulting firm to pay the roof replacement fee as decking material was specified in the $3-million dollar contract.

“We feel strongly that we did nothing wrong, ” said Crundwell. “We just want to work with the contractor to get it done.”

The city says its undergone numerous discussion with D&T and its consultant in the last few months in a bid to solve the disagreement, adding it’s willing to hire a third-party to find a resolution.

Westsyde residents have been relying on the Tournament Capital Centre and the south shore YMCA’s indoor pool for almost two years.

With no firm completion date in site, patience is running thin.

“This is one of the few recreational centers in Westsyde besides Westsyde Centennial Park, which at this time of year is hard for senior citizens to get to and exercise,” said Steve Delaney, President of the Westsyde Community Development Society.”

Approximately 10,000 people use the center’s weight room and pool.  

With the original January 30 completion date come and gone, the city says it hopes an agreement will be reached and roof construction will resume in the next few weeks.

Delaney isn’t holding his breath.

“It is a waiting game right now. I don’t think anybody really knows how long it’s going to be. I’d like it finished ASAP.”