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Another summer without swimming Fort Providence pool opening delayed until next year
Roxanna Thompson
Northern News Services
Published Thursday, September 5, 2013
DEH GAH GOT'IE KOE/FORT PROVIDENCE
Fort Providence residents will have to wait until next summer to dip into the hamlet's refurbished swimming pool.
Shanita Landry, bottom, plays with her brother Conrad Landry during a pool party in July 2010. This was the last summer the pool was open. The pool opening is delayed until next year due to continued renovations. - NNSL file photo
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The Hamlet of Fort Providence undertook major renovations of the pool this summer to correct problems in the pool's original inadequate ventilation system that allowed mould to grow in the building. The hamlet originally hoped to reopen the pool, which had already been closed for two summers, as early as mid-July.
The delay in the arrival of a subcontractor to work on the pool's chlorination system, meant that the pool couldn't be opened as planned, said Susan Christie, the hamlet's senior administrative officer.
"We did our best," she said.
The subcontractor began work on Aug. 26. Knowing in advance about the delay, the hamlet council decided during a meeting on Aug. 8 that the pool wouldn't open this year, said Christie.
News of the decision was passed around the hamlet through word of mouth.
"We haven't received any concerns or feedback," she said.
The renovated pool is expected to open next June as soon as weather conditions allow. The community normally holds a celebration every year when the pool opens so there will likely be one for the reopening, Christie said.
Christie said almost all of the work on the pool has been completed. The mould was cleaned up by a specialized company and all of the flooring and some of the wall components were removed.
"It's bright and it's colourful," she said.
The ventilation system was also upgraded with new fans and ductwork, and the mechanical systems were upgraded as well.
As of July, the hamlet was planning to spend $786,000 on the pool renovations. The final cost hasn't been calculated yet and it may be more than the estimated value, said Christie.
To make up for the third summer without a pool, the hamlet's recreation department organized approximately six trips to Hay River over the course of the summer so youth could swim in the pool there.
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