Demolition complete, crews now focus on concrete work as renovations continue to NDCC Aquatic Centre
By Nelson Daily Staff
No official date yet for re-opening of the NDCC Aquatic Centre, but the Regional District of Central Kootenay said the majority of demolition work is done on the $4.5 Million renovation to the 40-plus year old facility.
In a media release Friday, Nelson and District Community Complex Recreation Manager Marty Benson said the first truckload of concrete was poured this week while the new change room lockers have arrived and tile design and colours have been selected.
“Half of the rebar and form work for the new pool gutters is complete and the first concrete pour was a success,” Benson explained.
The RDCK said concrete specialists Greyback Construction have reshaped angles in the dive tank allowing the pool to meet current aquatic standards for depth and safety to allow the installation of a 2.7 metre dive platform.
Greyback have also removed the original pool main drain from the dive tank and will replace it with two new drains that will be safer for divers and swimmers.
In conjunction with forming the gutters, crews will construct forms and install rebar for structural pilasters to support the pool deck and walls.
The RDCK said once all concrete work has been completed crews will start tiling the pool walls and deck surfaces.
Benson says progress during the next month of the project is critical because concrete work has to be completed before some other mechanical system work can begin.
“Our aquatic centre operations staff have been instrumental in providing input to our construction management team at Unitech so that on-the-ground, employee perspectives are included in construction plans and the facility works for everyone,” said Benson.
“We’re really fortunate to have Unitech working with local talent like Trainor Mechanical Contractors and Martech Electrical Systems who are under and around the pool installing new ducting, mechanical and electrical systems at the same time that Greyback is replacing concrete on top.
“It’s a complex renovation project and we have a number of balls in the air at once. It all has to be timed very carefully.”
“It’s exciting to see the pool begin to take shape,” said Valerie Warmington, RDCK Recreation Commission chair.
“Once the tiling starts, it’s really going to hit me what a beautiful facility we’ll have once all this is done. I know many people in the community are keen to swim their first lap later this year and at least one of our commission members is among them.”
Change room lockers are now being replaced, a project that will take about three weeks per change room. The entire renovation project is forecast to take a full 11 months to complete.
The RDCK said a precise reopening date will be announced in the later stages of construction.
The RDCK is also now offering a regional wellness pass that allows residents to use community complexes in Nelson Castlegar, and Creston as well as the fitness centre in Salmo for a unified price.
This includes aquatic centre admission.
For more information, contact any of the RDCK’s community complexes or the Salmo Recreation Department.
The RDCK will continue to provide regular project updates.
