The City of Calgary says it’s permanently closing the aging Inglewood pool at the end of the year because it’s in need of major and costly repairs.
The city says there is a risk of a major electrical failure at the facility and while there is no risk to the public or staff, the closure is needed to reduce the risk of a sudden closure and the impact it would have on customers and swim clubs.
The city says the facility was built more than 60 years ago and has exceeded its expected lifespan by more than 20 years.
The cost of repairing the facility is estimated at $600,000 and the city says the repairs would take three months to complete.
“There is a chance further repairs would be needed beyond the electrical issues because of the facility’s age,” says the city’s director of recreation and social programs, Heather Johnson. “While we explored various possibilities to sustain the facility’s operations, the closure of the Inglewood Aquatic Centre prevents the need for a costly and time-consuming repair.”
The city says it is investing millions of dollars to repair and modernize other recreational facilities to help meet the needs of the community following the pool’s closure.
The city says there will be no job losses because staff will be redeployed to other city-operated recreation facilities.
It says the closure also creates the opportunity to redevelop the land for other purposes, such as new housing.
Brian Chomey, who uses the pool regularly, says they city should make any future housing development contingent on the developer providing new public recreational facilities.
Chomey says the population of Calgary grew by almost 100,000 people last year and all those new residents need recreational facilities.
“If we’re inviting people to come for the Calgary and Alberta advantage, what are we going to do to help those people live a healthy and fit lifestyle?” asks Chomey.
Betty Leinweber lives just across the street from the pool so she likes the convenience of it.
“It’s very therapeutic. I have arthritis, so I can’t walk like I used to, I can’t bike like I used to, but I can swim in the pool,” says Leinweber.
Leinweber says she swam in the pool the first day it opened more than 60 years ago and plans to swim in it the last day it’s open.
“I just finished swimming across Canada counting my laps, starting in this pool and ending in this pool, east to west,” she said.
“My intention was to go north to south but now that isn’t going to happen.”
The closure takes effect on Dec. 22.
Comments