The Canada Games Pool at the Tournament Capital Centre is officially open to the public as of today, Jan. 15, after six months of construction.
City of Kamloops Aquatics Supervisor Andrew Smeaton says people will notice several new things like an indoor spray park, a new hot tub with a direct access lift, and new changing rooms.
“So instead of having men’s and women’s change room, now we have individual use changing rooms and bathrooms, so you can walk right through, its really open concept,” he said. “When you’re ready to have privacy, you have a solid door that you can close. This makes our changerooms way more accessible and inclusive for everyone in our community. You will notice that right as soon as you come in the door.”
The facility will be limited to a maximum of 50 people and Smeaton says you will have to reserve your swim times online in advance because of COVID-19 protocols.
“For our swim that is happening today, you had to have registered last Saturday – a week in advance – though if there is space, you can register right up to the time that you want to swim,” Smeaton said.
“The registration also takes care of our contact tracing. The facility is not just open throughout the day where people can drop in anymore, but we’ve tried to give options for all the different demographics on our community.”
The pool had been closed since late June to replace most of the building’s envelope as well as its mechanical, electrical, and heating systems. The renovations cost $13.5 million and came in on time and on budget despite COVID-19 concerns.
The facility reopened for swimming lessons and for competitive swim clubs back on Jan. 2, and Smeaton says people have been eager to dive right in. Due to COVID-19 protocols, things like the sauna, the steam room, and the water slide are temporarily closed.
“We’re expecting that with the facility just opening up, that there will be a lot of interest in people to come and use our facility and we notice that with our registration in advance this week, that our slots were filled up very quickly,” he said.
“We’re really looking forward to that date when we can have everyone back to use the facility to its fullest.”
#Kamloops your renovations of the Canada Games Pool are complete! Including a new hot tub, indoor water park and relocated sauna /steam room pic.twitter.com/xPC9GaA9lZ
— Mike O’Reilly (@mikeoreilly2018) January 14, 2021
#Kamloops the Canada Games Pool upgrades @Kamtourncap are done & doors reopen tmw!! 🙌
Upgrades incl new upper level entry, changerooms, HVAC, roof, paint, lighting, hot tub & splash area. #accessibility upgrades incl +2 changerooms with a lift, hot tub lift & more!!! pic.twitter.com/6WAobR742u
— Sadie Hunter (@SadieKamloops) January 15, 2021
