By Mark Squibb
Staff re-opened both Summit Centre pools last Tuesday after a smashed glass forced their closure.
The pools were shut down for about two weeks as staff had to drain, clean, and refill both pools after a bottle shattered on the deck.
“It’s very unfortunate that something like that happened, and I know there was a lot of talk amongst residents, and many were very understanding, as this was a complete accident and these things do happen, but unfortunately there was also a lot of people who were angry about the length of the process and the missed lessons,” said councillor Chelsea Lane during last week’s public council meeting. “But unfortunately, if glass gets in the pool, the staff has no choice but to drain it and then rebalance the chemicals. And it is a process.”
Lane expressed her gratitude to staff for getting the pools open again in a timely manner and added the workers were also able to reschedule some lessons that had been missed.
“And I think that’s fabulous because I don’t think people realize the amount of work that goes into scheduling and trying to get things situated, and I think it’s amazing that everyone was able to pull it together and get it happening,” said Lane.
Mayor Dave Aker, noting that “a little glass can do a lot of damage,” asked Recreation Director Jason Collins for a further explanation of the cleanup process.
Collins, who allowed that the process is a complicated one, said the bottle, which was brought into the building in a child’s backpack, was dropped in the laneway between both pools, and that glass was found in both pools.
Collins said that all the glass needed to be removed before the pool could be drained, and that staff had to be cautious when refilling the pool lest they fill it too quickly, as the water pressure could cause damage.
“We have adjusted our policies as well, when it comes to bags and where they’re allowed,” said Collins. “We did consider and talk about not allowing them at all, but there are also complications with that. But we have adjusted our policies to help avoid this going forward.
Meanwhile, registration for fall programs is fast approaching.
Swimming lesson registration opens on September 4th for residents and September 6th for non-residents, while seniors program registration opens on September 3rd for residents and September 5th for non-residents. Fitness program registration opens on September 3rd for residents and September 5th for non-residents.
Proof of residency is required for early registration.
