The Canada Aquatic Games Centre will have its waterslide reopened in early 2024 after a year-long closure.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/B.C. Government
December 28, 2023 - 7:30 AM
Despite millions of dollars in renovations at a popular swimming pools, the waterslide has now been closed for more than a year.
Parks manager Jeff Putnam said the Canada Aquatic Games water slide will reopen in early 2024, roughly 13 months after it was closed.
"I can best describe it as a series of unfortunate events stacking on top of each other," he said.
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Putnam said there was no immediate health threat, but it can be risky in a pool where pool chemicals need to be ventilated and the renovation created a pocket of stagnant air in the corner where the waterslide is.
The $13.5 million renovation was aimed at lowering the building's greenhouse gas emissions and part of the work included an updated air ventilation system. Putnam said the city won't be paying for much more material, but the ducting has to be redesigned to avoid possible chemical risks.
"We feel terrible that it's been closed for so long. We apologize to all the pool users and appreciate their patience," Putnam said.
While it was closed, he said staff found some of the 32-year-old waterslide structure had to be replaced, which is expected to also be done early next year.
He said those parts are on order, but he wasn't yet able to say how much the renovations for either job will cost.
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Local resident and previous council election candidate Mac Gordon raised the issue at a recent council meeting, looking for an explanation to why the waterslide has been closed so long.
He said his nieces and nephews enjoy the slide but haven't been able to use it in months. He said he's spoken with two staff members in recent months, leaving him without a sufficient answer.
Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson didn't answer his questions, suggesting Gordon send them in an email to city council.
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