It’s going to be another year before the problem of slippery tiles in Penticton’s public pool will be fixed.
Though it will cost $16,000 more, council chose to delay replacing the tiles until July 2015 in order to not disrupt pool schedules and the KISU and Penticton Pikes Swim Clubs as little as possible.
Three years of testing various options to maintain consistent and long-term slip resistance on the tiles installed during the reconstruction of the community centre pool were not successful. Earlier this year, the city gave the go ahead to replace them at a cost of $150,000.
The city had hoped to do the tile replacement in stages, allowing partial access to the pools.
However, replacing the tiles requires a complete lack of humidity, meaning all the pools will have to be drained for the seven weeks it will take to replace all the tiles.
Shutting the pool down starting Nov 17, the other recommended date, would have saved money on temporary acid-etching treatments to reduce slipperiness, but cost more in terms of lost revenue, with a net impact of $28,500.
Three acid etchings will be required before the planned July 27 shutdown, but less lost revenue and reduced expenses help offset the increased cost.
“We actually get a net savings in the summertime by closing down the pool, in essence,” said Chuck Loewen, general manager for facilities and recreation services, noting that the July shutdown will cost $16,000 more.
Coun. John Vassilaki was the only vote against delaying the tile replacement to July 2015, preferring instead to save the city the $16,000 difference.