Taxpayers could be on hook for pool repair

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: October 14, 2010 6:00 PM
A significant expense at Lumby’s outdoor pool could make waves for taxpayers.  Staff has indicated that $100,000 is needed for a new pool liner.  “It’s a lot of money,” said Tracy Williamson, director with the White Valley Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee.  “It will be a hard decision to make but the pool is an amazing community asset.”  The current liner — a finish which is sprayed on concrete — is about 12 years old. Upwards of $80,000 has been spent repairing it in the last five or six years.  “We’ve been putting good money after bad,” said Rick Fairbairn, committee chairman.  Holes appeared in the liner within the first week of the pool opening in the spring.  “The public complained about the sharp pieces that littered the pool bottom as the liner began cracking and peeling,” said Amy Dobrowolski, head guard, in a written report.  “And staff struggled with vacuuming the pool because the vacuum hose would continuously clog with liner debris.”  Because the pool surface is rough and uneven, algae growth also occurred, making the pool esthetically unattractive. “A new pool liner next year is essential,” said Dobrowolski.

The possibility of a new liner will be discussed during 2011 budget deliberations, and while it’s a costly item, Fairbairn doesn’t believe there is much choice.  “We have to look at what’s important for the community,” he said. “People use this facility and it provides a lot of recreational activities.” It’s believed that a new liner could have a 20-year warranty, and the committee wants assurances that a liner will meet long-term needs.  “It could be make or break on whether a purchase proceeds,” said Williamson of warranty details.  Staff has also suggested other possible expenditures for the coming year, including a tot slide, a water basketball hoop and expanding youth loonie swim to all day Sunday.
“The liner needs to come first. We’d love to meet everyone’s wishes but that’s not possible,” said Williamson.  White Valley parks and recreation provides services to the Village of Lumby, rural Lumby and Cherryville.