EK pool’s problems frustrate councillor

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This article was published 22/01/2015 (3373 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A northeast Winnipeg civic pool sat empty for months before staff noticed dozens of fractures in the water tank that will keep it closed for several more weeks.

The last-minute discovery has area Coun. Jeff Browaty (North Kildonan) questioning what city staff have been doing at the Elmwood Kildonans Pool for the past several months.

“While the facility was closed, you’d think they’d do all due diligence to see if there was any other severe problems or maintenance that needs to be done,” said Browaty, who is also chairman of the protection and community services committee. “It just seems common sense that when a facility goes down, that’s the time to look when other works needs to be done.”

The Elmwood Kildonans Pool on Concordia Avenue was closed in early May when staff entered the building and found dark soot everywhere. A small fire in the building’s basement electrical panel had sent black smoke throughout the interior of the structure.

The closure sent pool pass holders and swimming clubs scrambling for other locations. Swimming lessons were cancelled mid-lesson.

The situation annoys area resident Jerry Popiel, 70, who has been swimming there regularly since 1984.

“Hundreds of people have been dislocated along with myself,” Popiel said. “It’s been a major headache trying to find another city pool.”

Popiel said he’s as dismayed as Browaty and angry the pool didn’t reopen in December because of the last-minute discovery of the fractures.

“What have they been doing since May 8 when they had the panel fire?” Popiel said. “You mean to tell me it took them from May to November to find out they had structural damage in the pool itself? Who’s minding the store here? It’s just totally frustrating that they’ve done what they’ve done there.”

The building’s electrical panel had to be replaced and custom-constructed for the facility. It wasn’t ready for installation until late in the fall. In the meantime, the pool tank was drained and cleaned, along with the complete interior of the building, including interior portions of the ventilation vents.

The pool was to reopen in late December or early January but Browaty said while staff refilled it mid-November, fractures in the tank became evident.

“They weren’t even looking for (the fractures) but when they started filling the tank they realized these fractures were there,” Browaty said, adding he is concerned the fractures weren’t detected the last time the pool was drained as part of its regular maintenance.

Browaty said staff identified at least 30 fractures that had to be repaired. Contracts for the latest repair work were only recently awarded. A new opening date is set for late March.

The early estimate to repair the damage caused by the electrical fire was $1.25 million, most of which will be covered by insurance.

Browaty said staff were unable to show a link between the pool tank sitting empty for seven months and the fractures, adding those repairs, which a civic spokeswoman said is an additional $107,000, will not be covered by insurance.

Browaty said he is disappointed staff failed to keep area councillors updated with the new problems at the pool.

“That’s part of the failure of the city’s lack of communications,” Browaty said. “The fact a councillor has to go in and start prodding for (information).”

The status of the pool was raised at a recent community committee meeting, where it was suggested the property and development committee instruct staff to inspect all the civic pools for tank fractures and any other problems.

 

aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca