NDCC Aquatic Centre Back In Business
By Brendan Quinn
First it was the ceiling tiles that fell into the pool in January 2013.
Then major renovations were required closing the pool, again, in May of 2015.
Thursday, all that blood, sweat, tears and waiting by pool patrons concluded as the 46-year-old Nelson and District Aquatic Centre was officially re-opened for business during a gala ceremony outside the main entrance.
Nelson Mayor Deb Kozak, Nelson/Creston MLA Michelle Mungall, Regional District of Central Kootenay Directors and NDCC staff joined in on the ceremony to re-open the facility by pushing down the “KABOOM” plunger.
“The desire for our community to have access to a swimming facility has never been more apparent than during the last 13 months of the closure,” said Valerie Warmington, Chair of the Recreation Commission.
Warmington thanked Nelson residents for their patience during the renovation and said that the hard work will pay off, as the new facility is now sustainable for the next 40-50 years.
The $5.9 Million project started in May of 2015.
Renovations included:
- new deck, gutter, tank 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
- replace electrical panels and equipment
- building envelope repairs
- renew change areas including lockers, fixtures
- mechanical/chemical rooms with loading lift
The Government of Canada contributed almost $4.6 million to this project through the federal Gas Tax Fund, while the Regional District of Central Kootenay contributed $1.3 million.
Mayor Deb Kozak was present to commemorate the opening and spoke on behalf of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities and helped to explain the Federal Gas Tax Fund, through which the NDCC received $4.6 million to finance the project.
“By having these funds available we can build more infrastructure sooner than would otherwise be possible, making our community stronger, more efficient and more resilient,” Kozak said.
Nelsonites were lined up at 6:30 a.m. Thursday morning ready to swim and the pool was soon packed with laughing children enjoying the new facilities.
Quick facts The Government of Canada provides $265,941,000 in annual funding for municipal infrastructure in British Columbia through the federal
Gas Tax Fund.
- The federal Gas Tax Fund provides Canadian municipalities with a permanent, predictable and indexed source of long-term funding.
- It offers local communities the flexibility to make strategic investments across 18 different project categories, including roads and bridges, public transit, drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, and recreational facilities.
- The Union of British Columbia Municipalities administers the Gas Tax Fund in B.C., in collaboration with the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia.
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