The pool’s coming back!
After extensive renovations and 13 months of shut-down the Nelson and District Community Complex is hosting a grand opening celebration for their aquatic facility at noon next Thursday.
That’s three days later than planned — residents were expecting to return by the 17th — and brings the project to completion two months shy of their original goal.
And things are starting to look pretty nice.
Crews were putting the finishing touches on the project this week, with Gaelan Lander working on tot pool features while Jan Hauser completed some tiling.
The diving board plinth, which has moved to a different wall of the deep end, is almost complete. Meanwhile new multi-purpose rooms and a relocated lifeguard station are being cleaned and prepared.
New features include a spray cannon and a wheelchair accessible ramp. The brand-new sauna, next door to the steam room, has a rich pine smell and there will be a new decorative wall by the hot tub.
A ribbon-cutting event with speeches from local politicians and RDCK staff will take place on Thursday.
On Sunday, October 23, there will be public celebration between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., including a hot dog roast, face painting, games and activities, cupcake decorating, live music, and access to the pool.
Originally built in 1972, the pool had developed significant mechanical, electrical and chemical issues over the years. This renovation will extend its life for decades.
The renovation was buoyed by a $4.5 million grant from the Government of Canada’s Tax Fund in February — the largest grant the regional district has received in it’s 50-year history.
“The importance of this grant to recreation in our region cannot be overstated,” city councillor Val Warmington said. “Trying to maintain aging infrastructure in a situation without adequate reserves from which to draw has often meant that important work has been deferred or simply not done.”
“We can’t wait to jump in and get our feet wet,” said Benson.
