In January, 2014 the demolition of the half century old pool at Henderson Lake began. The 49-year-old pool basin was failing and city officials believed it would not be able to hold water for another season. Residents in the city believed this summer would be the last without the pool, but on Monday, council had to make a difficult decision.
Council approved a $6.4 million dollar plan last year and the pool was supposed to be completed in the summer of 2015. City officials said the construction tender came in significantly over budget.
The tender was cancelled and council voted to allow city administration to review and re-scope construction plans to bring about cost savings. Lethbridge city council believed the most fiscally responsible decision was to delay the project by one year to reduce the cost after learning the sole bid of the project was way over budget.
“We are going to lose next season for sure it’s unfortunate. We will re-scope the project and it will go back to tender. We want to get the hole dug by the 2015 construction season and we should have a pool ready for 2016,” said Bary Beck, the Community Service Director for the City of Lethbridge
But for Lethbridge residents like Charlane Gunderson who used the pool on a weekly basis the delayed opening is a huge disappointed for her entire family.
“I’m disappointed but my kids are going to be more disappointed. It sucks,” adds Lethbridge resident Charlane Gunderson.
Westminster Pool is expected to be the city’s only outdoor pool until 2016.
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