It’s going to be several weeks before Penticton’s community leisure pool is fully back in operation.
“They are saying the repairs should be complete and we will be up and operational by the third week of November,” said Lori Mullin, acting general manager for recreation services.
The main pool, hot tub, sauna and steam rooms are open, but the leisure pool remains closed while repairs are made to its drains. Cracks in the drain were discovered when pool staff began refilling the pool after a seven-week closure to replace tiles around the pools, and noticed the level in the leisure pool had dropped.
The cause of the cracked drain is not known, but there is speculation an earthquake may have caused the damage. According to Natural Resources Canada, a 2.45 magnitude earthquake hit Penticton at 4:45 p.m. on June 18.
In September, the city’s communications officer, Simone Blais, stated that it was difficult to tell what caused the cracks, but they were in the same spot tile damage was found following the quake.
Mullin said the earthquake is still a theory, and they are still not exactly sure what caused the cracks to the drains.
Work on the leisure pool will happen at night, when the complex is closed, to avoid disrupting use of the other facilities, including the main pool.
In addition to public swimming, the leisure pool is used for a number of classes, but Mullin said there is no disruptions to the program schedule.
“All of those programs our currently happening, they just are put in the main pool for now,” said Mullin. “We really appreciate the patience of our patrons and understand their frustration.”
Taking that appreciation one step further, the city is partnering with the Downtown Penticton Association on a series of weekly “thank you theme weeks” at the Community Centre to reward customers for their patience.
Each week will have a theme with a giveaway, activities and new draw prizes. Starting Oct. 19, the theme is Celebrate the Harvest Upper Bench Fruit Farms will be giving away free apples to patrons, young visitors will be able to take part in bobbing for apples, and parents can enter the weekly draw for a six-month pass to the fitness room.
The second week is Fall Colours, with The Pumpkin Farmer handing out free mini pumpkins and a pumpkin decorating contest for young children.
Each entry in the weekly draw, is also entered into Santa’s Bigger Bag, a draw for the grand prize family pack sponsored by DPA and the city. The grand prize draw will happen during the Santa Claus Parade in December.