TMAC (QSWC) Pool Shut Down

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City of Belleville
Recreation, Culture & Community Services Department
265 Cannifton Road, Belleville, Ontario K8N 4V8
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release: AUGUST 8, 2014
RE: CITY AQUATICS CENTRE - ANNUAL MAINTENANCE SHUT DOWN
August 30 – September 13, 2014
The Templeman Menninga Aquatic Centre at the Quinte Sports & Wellness Centre will be closed for its annual shut-down from August 30th through to September 13th. During this time, any required maintenance will be performed and the thorough cleaning of all pool areas including the pool basins, pool deck, windows, ledges, change rooms, office and storage room spaces will take place. Change rooms and all other areas of the building will remain open for the duration of the pool closure.
Public Swimming will resume in the pools along with the start of the Fall swimming lessons and aqua-fitness programs on September 14th.
Staff would like to thank the public and our users for your patience during this time. Everyone is reminded for safe and fun cooling zones that Zwick’s Wading Pool is open until August 29th daily from 11am-6pm (weather permitting) and the West Riverside and the Parkdale Parks Splash Pads will continue to be open for daily use through Labour Day and then open on weekends until the end of September.
For further information or for Fall program schedules and registrations, please contact the Recreation, Culture & Community Services Office at 613-966-4632 or visit: www.quintesportsandwellnesscentre.ca.

Additional Information:

WHY IS AN ANNUAL SHUT DOWN REQUIRED?
Traditionally, all large pools close for a period of maintenance each year. As pools are very busy throughout the year, they require deep down cleaning and thorough maintenance that requires machinery, lifts for example, to be on the deck. Pools and their mechanical systems need to be drained, inspected, cleaned, re-grouted (when necessary), and it requires time down in order to complete these tasks each year.

HOW WERE THESE DATES SELECTED?
In consultation with our user groups of the Aquatic Centre, it was determined that having the pools ready to re-open as early as possible in September was important for their annual schedules and operations. Also, many pools choose the last week of August due to staffing. University & College students head back to school this week and therefore, staff numbers tend to drop. City staff will be hiring and training new staff during this period to prepare for the September programs.

WHY ARE THE POOLS CLOSED FOR SO LONG?
Due to the volume of water in the pools, it takes significant time to drain the pools, fill the pools, heat the water, and re-balance all of the chemical systems in each of the three pools. This time is in addition to the time it takes to complete the work tasks scheduled to be conducted.

WHAT IS BEING DONE?
 All three pools will be cleaned
 Mechanical systems will be inspected
 Pool tiles & pool deck tiles will be inspected for lost grout, sharp edges, etc. and re-grouted and/or repaired as needed
 Lighting fixtures will be inspected
 Pool exit doors & emergency systems will be inspected, reviewed, and modified as required
 Change rooms will receive a thorough cleaning
 All windows will be cleaned
 Ledges & higher areas will be cleaned
 Signage and health regulation requirements will be inspected
 Pool bleacher system will be moved and cleaned
 Pool Office & Storage areas will be organized and cleaned
 Staff training and re-certifications will take place
For more information, please contact:

Tanya Grierson,
Recreation Program Supervisor
(613) 967-3200 ext. 3822 or
(613) 921-4368

Peter Lyng,
Facilities Manager
(613) 967-3200 ext. 3500
(613) 848-6409