Pool receives numerous updates during shutdown

Adam Kannawin, Manager of Parks and Facilities, stands near the newly updated pool pump and filtration system in the utility room. (Jeff Helsdon Photo)

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

What was done during last month’s closure of the indoor pool?

The answer to that question, and a behind-the-scenes look at how the pool operates, reveals some exciting updates and technical insight.

The most obvious difference pool patrons will see when entering the pool this week is the new diving board that was added. A similar board was there prior to the renovations. The pool is also brighter, with the previous T8 fluorescents being changed out for LED lighting.

Shutting down the pool for summer maintenance takes place every two years. This time it was needed 14 months after the pool renovation was completed to finish some updates that weren’t done at the time due to escalating costs during the renovation from Covid pricing.

To understand the remainder of the updates, is where a trip into the basement filter room for the pool is needed, and some insight into how a home pool filtration system operates helps. While home pools have a pump and sand filter, a similar but different system, is used in pools the size of the one in the Tillsonburg Community Centre.

The main pump looks similar to a home pool pump, but is much larger. Those who have changed the sand in a sand filter at home are aware of the slotted laterals in the bottom and the cleaning ability of the sand. The complex pool has similar laterals, but in a large tank. Perlite, a specialized diadromous earth, is put in the tank.

“It’s a very fine powder that gets sucked into the filter screen, and then water is pulled through it,” explained Adam Kannawin, Manager of Parks and Facilities. “That eliminates any hair or debris.”

He said the big difference between a home pool is the turnover rate. According to health regulations, the water in the pool must be turned over four times per day. Subsequently, the pipes attached to the pump are much larger.

Chemicals are added to the pool, but it is all done with an electronic chemical controller.

“It takes the guess work out of it,” Kannawin said. “It tests the water and adds the chemicals automatically.”

Still, lifeguards must manually check the pH and chlorine every hour, using a pool test kit that is similar to those used by home pool owners. Total alkalinity (water hardness) must be checked daily. Backwashing of the filter system is done every seven to 10 days, along with changing the Perlite.

During this year’s shutdown, there was a full rebuild of the pool’s mechanical systems. This meant all electrical sensors, chlorine feed lines were replaced, piping was updated and the installation of a new pool pump. Much of the electrical and control panels were original to when the pool was built in the 1970s. The filter tank was retained and a few tile deficiencies from the renovation were also completed.

A new heat exchanger, which is part of the heating system, was also installed. The pool is heated by a heat recovery system that repurposes waste heat from the Community Centre’s natural gas turbines.

With the pool opened yesterday, the month-long updates were completed. However, in two years, the pool will be drained again. With the next emptying of the pool, an acid wash will take place to clean up the walls and get rid of any loose grouting, and routine maintenance will be performed.

“Over the years, pool water will eat away at the grout,” Kannawin explained. “the acid wash and regrouting keep the pool basin clean and watertight.”

This procedure was not done this time as it was completed during the renovation.