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Looks like the end of the line for Centennial swimming pool

Aging pool needs $1.2 million in mechanical and accessibility upgrades
Swimming pool
Stock photo

City staff are recommending that Centennial swimming pool be closed permanently early next year.

In a news release Thursday the city said that a recommendation will be made to City Council on Sept. 3 that council end its licence agreement with the Upper Grand District School Board on Jan. 4, 2020.

“The facility is deteriorating and the capital investment required to continue to keep it operational and safe for our patrons and employees is becoming a challenge for the City,” says Heather Flaherty, general manager of parks and recreation, in the news release.

It’s estimated it would cost $1.2 million to upgrade mechanical equipment and make necessary improvements to meet accessibility standards.

Agreements between the city and school board have been in place since 1967 when the pool was constructed within Centennial CVI high school.

The current five-year term is officially set to expire in March 2021.

Under that agreement, the city is responsible for operating the pool and maintenance.

"However, a recent facility inventory and building condition assessment completed by the City and shared with the school board concludes that the continued use of the pool is not fiscally responsible and the agreement should be terminated early," the city release said.

“The facility received a D rating, meaning that the facility and its components are not functioning as intended, significant deterioration and distress has been observed, and repairs and rehabilitation are required within the next year to restore functionality,” said Flaherty.

The release said the school board is on board with the decision.

“The school board understands our financial position and supports our recommendation to terminate the license agreement one year early,” says Flaherty.

If the staff recommendation is approved, aquatic drop-in programs, swimming lessons, and aquatic rentals offered at Centennial Pool will move to West End Community Centre and Victoria Road Recreation Centre starting January 2020.


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