Faithful users of Fountain Park’s aquatic facilities will have to make a splash elsewhere this holiday season.
The recreation facility will close its doors for approximately seven days from the evening of Dec. 20 to 28 for its annual spruce up, which addresses facility maintenance and cleaning that cannot be done while it’s open to the public.
This year’s facility maintenance includes tile work in the ladies’ locker room and pool deck, along with some painting and plenty of cleaning. The floor of the racquetball court is also being replaced.
In addition, a portion of the small pool will be drained to replace some cracked tiles.
“It’s really a time for us to do lots of deep cleaning,” said Edith Martin, aquatics services manager. “It prevents any major dilemmas throughout the rest of the year when we are really busy with lessons and swim clubs.”
Next year, portions of Fountain Park will be closed significantly longer to allow for the replacement of a filter system.
The anticipated length of the closure should be about a month, with certain facilities, such as the competition pool, steam room, sauna and whirlpools, to remain open for minimal interruption.
Monique St. Louis, director of recreation services, said the public is generally appreciative of the annual maintenance with few complaints.
With the closure, St. Louis is expecting an influx of people to flock to the aquatics centre at Servus Credit Union Place, which undergoes its annual maintenance in May.
Fountain Park Recreation Centre opened in 1978 and houses an expanded indoor pool that supports a variety of children’s and adult swim programs. The centre also features racquetball courts.
All pools and amenities will reopen at 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 29.
