Pool at Whitehorse's Canada Games Centre to close for 10 weeks

The pool at Whitehorse's Canada Games Centre typically closes for a few weeks every summer, for routine maintenance. But this year, the closure will be significantly longer as the City of Whitehorse plans some more extensive work that needs to be done.

The facility could be closed for up to 10 weeks, starting in early August.

"The facility was constructed in 2001, and between then and now there's really not been an extensive shutdown and opportunity to review and fully, correctly repair any of the equipment," said Jonathan Stollery, property manager for the city. 

"So, similar to driving your car for an extended period of time, it just really needs some love."

Stollery said most of the work will be focused on upgrading the HVAC system throughout the pool facility and installing some new duct work. That means draining the pool and erecting some scaffolding on the pool's bottom crews to work off of.

He says the work should extend the life of the facility for another 10 to 20 years.

"There isn't an overall issue with the building, but to increase some of the energy upgrades and essentially change the oil in the car example, if you will, this is one of the critical steps that needs to be taken," he said.

The pool will close to the public around Aug. 8 and is expected to reopen in late October, but Stollery said it's possible the closure won't be that long. 

"If there's any chance of turning the facility over to the public sooner, we will definitely take a run at doing that, appreciating how many people love this space and use it," he said.