Pyramid Recreation Centre pool reopening could be just a month away

Scaffolding is down and final tile repairs have commenced

By Galen Simmons, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Though it has taken longer than expected, the Pyramid Recreation Centre (PRC) aquatics centre could be ready to reopen by the end of this month or the beginning of next.

During the Oct. 28 St. Marys council meeting, town director of community services Stephanie Ische presented an update on the nearly $2-million renovation of the PRC pool, closed one year ago to address safety and structural issues related to years of high humidity caused by an undersized HVAC unit and degradation caused by the pool’s original saltwater system.

After the scope of the work necessary to address the issues pushed the project’s completion date well past the summer, when staff had originally hoped to reopen the pool, Ische told councillors the pool could be ready to reopen in as little as one month.

“The scaffolding has been removed and then there was an area – a one-foot stretch (of tile) spanning the width of the pool that needs to be replaced – that work will begin tomorrow,” Ische told councillors Oct. 28. “There will be a two-week curing period following that, and then we can put water in the pool. So, that work was one of the last items we were waiting for.”

In a follow-up email, Ische told the Independent the tile work was completed on Oct. 29 and curing of the new tiles will finish up by Nov. 10, at which time the pool can be filled with water.

“Additionally, a technician will be on site for the start-up of the new HVAC equipment once the water temperature reaches between 80-84 (degrees Fahrenheit) for the final commissioning and load testing of the new unit,” Ische said. “While we do not have an exact date from the general contractor yet, we anticipate this will take place in the middle to late part of the week of Nov. 17.

“Once everything is confirmed to be operating correctly, we will regain occupancy from the general contractor. Following this, there will be a two-week period to make any necessary adjustments or repairs. It is highly likely that some equipment, which has been off for a year, will require attention.”

Ische also told councillors the hiring of lifeguards is well underway and onboarding, training and recertifying lifeguard staff for programming, operations and procedures for both the new and existing equipment will begin once the pool is full, heated and operating correctly.

Town staff will also notify Huron Perth Public Health once the pool is operational and compliant with all public-pool regulations, and an inspection will be conducted.

“We will ensure all spaces are cleaned, prepped and ready for public occupancy for their inspection,” Ische said.

Ische told councillors she is working with town communications staff to inform residents of an official pool-reopening date once it is determined, and to try and rebuild the town’s aquatic-programming participation after the pool was closed for so long.