Completion of the multi-million dollar upgrades on the city’s aquatic centre have been delayed for one month due to a delivery hold up on electrical equipment.
A “significant piece” of electrical equipment—called a motor control centre—which would provide power to much of the new system was delayed, recreation director Trisha Davison said.
As well, work crews ran into unmarked utility lines around the exterior of the building and had to have them moved, draining more time away from the task of completing the upgrade.
Despite the challenges, Davison said the project is expected to be completed by early October.
“But work continues daily and the project continues to move forward,” she said Thursday.
Work remaining includes completion of piping and wiring to major pieces of equipment once they are in place, staircase completion and new exterior access points to utility room, as well as commissioning and inspection of the system.
The goal of the $2.8-million project is to have a properly functioning HVAC system that includes proper dehumidification and improved energy efficiency while reducing operating costs, as well as preserving the facility’s infrastructure.
The de-humidifier that served the building’s main pool area failed over 10 years ago and it was never properly repaired, said Davison.
Over time, there have been issues with the unit and the building like excess moisture in the building, largely in the pool atrium, has resulted in premature aging of the mechanical systems and the building envelope.
In addition, repairs are being made to the building’s envelope system (primarily the building soffits), and upgrades to various electrical functions within the building. These two systems form part of a proper functioning facility, she said.
It will also improve the comfort of users throughout the facility around environment control.
But she noted that swimmers likely wouldn’t notice ongoing construction.
“The pool temperatures are all up to where patrons would anticipate them to be,” Davison said. “The pool atrium and the change rooms are humid and warm.”
Temporary measures are in place to minimize temperature problems and will remain in-place until the new system has been tied in. The facility is open during its regular schedule and temporary procedures have been put in place to manage pool heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.
But that’s not the only change patrons might notice.
The building is also under construction so some areas have missing ceilings, and there is equipment around the outside of the facility. Davison said contractors are expected to be in and out of different facility spaces.