REGIONAL DISTRICT OF CENTRAL KOOTENAY
MEDIA RELEASE
Nelson, BC
SET TO MAKE A SPLASH:
Nelson Aquatic Centre Opened October 20
The highly anticipated opening of the Nelson and District Community Complex (NDCC) Aquatic Centre was at 6:30 am on October 20, with a grand opening celebration on Sunday, Oct 23, the RDCK announced.
“We are thrilled to welcome the public back to their facility,” said Valerie Warmington, chair of the Nelson and District Recreation Commission. “We are grateful to the public and user groups for their understanding and patience during the service interruptions and are confident that everyone will enjoy the changes to this community centre.”
The pool was completed last week with final tile being laid and the installation of the sauna wood walls and the 3-metre diving platform. The entire space was also cleaned in preparation for the public.
Renovations to the facility were initiated in April 2015 and included:
- new deck, gutters, tank and deck tiles and water proofing membranes
- new underwater lighting
- a relocated lifeguard station for better staff access and supervision
- new sauna and storage
- new wall finishes
- new mechanical systems and heat recovery
- replacement of electrical panels and equipment
- building envelope repairs
- renewal of change areas including lockers, fixtures mechanical/chemical rooms with loading lift
- improved pool access into the shallow end and a new bulkhead with a gate opening to the main pool
- a new 3-metre dive platform
- a re-contoured dive tank and new pool drains to meet current aquatic safety standards
- ultraviolet light water treatment (will replace ozone as a secondary treatment and result in less airborne chlorine and odor)
- new exhaust and gutter systems (which result in improved air quality throughout the facility)
- repairs to water-damaged walls and the floor in the cardio room.
“Our pool is the first renovation project of its kind in British Columbia to incorporate tri-chloramine exhaust into the design,” said Joe Chirico, the RDCK’s general manager of community services. “This feature will improve air quality for our patrons.”
The $5.9 million project was helped by a $4.597 million federal Gas Tax Fund grant which enabled the RDCK not to borrow funds for the renovations.
“We expect that these upgrades will allow us to operate this important community facility for another 40 years,” said Marty Benson, recreation manager at the NDCC.