Get ready to get back twisting by the NDCC pool in August
By Nelson Daily Staff
From the outside, a scheduled opening appears to be weeks away.
But the Regional District of Central Kootenay remains optimistic swimmers will be frolicking in the Nelson and District Community Complex Aquatic Centre by its scheduled re-opening date of (Tuesday) August 6.
“All our staff and clients are really looking forward to seeing the busiest aquatic facility in the Kootenays up and running again,” said Joe Chirico, General Manager of Community Services.
Chirico said the upper deck ceiling is now complete and crews are working on the lower deck ceiling and expect to finish by Friday (July 19).
Dan Maglio Contracting has been working with Morrison Installation to apply the ceiling’s spray-foam acoustical treatment to dampen sound and Kootenay Lake Electric will follow close behind to install the new LED lighting system for the pool area.
“I know families in particular are anticipating the pool reopening, especially at the height of summer when it’s important for kids and adults to improve their swimming and lifesaving skills,” said Chirico.
Regular aquatic programming including swimming lessons will also begin on August 6. Parents wishing to enroll their children in lessons can contact the NDCC to sign up now.
All employees have been recalled from their temporary layoffs and will return to work in stages between now and August according to seniority and their role at the facility.
“The Recreation Commission is really pleased with progress on the project so far given how unexpected this closure was for our community and how difficult it has been for our user groups in particular,” said Ramona Faust, Recreation Commission Chair and Area E Director.
“We want to make sure that any improvements we do now ensure that our competitive and synchronized swimmers, seniors and families can count on having a really good recreation facility for the long term.”
Renovations were necessary after ceiling tile fell into the pool at the Nelson and District Community Complex during a winter aqua fit class.
No one was hurt but the near-disaster forced the RDCK to close the pool, sauna, steam room and hot tub at the NDCC while renovations proceeded.
This is only the first phase of the project.
The RDCK will begin planning for the second and final phase of the repair and renovation project in fall 2013 when the community will be invited to provide input into further design options for the aquatic centre to make it a more functional and inviting space.
Construction for phase two will begin in 2014 with the goal of extending the life of the facility into the coming decades.
The Nelson and District Aquatic Centre was built in 1975, mainly through fundraising and walk-a-thons from Balfour to Nelson by the community and for many years was the only indoor pool in the West Kootenay.
The facility was renovated in 1985 and expanded 1994 when the kids pool was built.
