Centennial Pool is leaking, forcing the city to close the outdoor pool less than two weeks after its season opening.
To make matters worse, as of Tuesday morning, the city hadn’t been able to pinpoint exactly where the problem is.
“It’s leaking a considerable amount of water and it’s extremely difficult to determine where it’s coming from,” said Ross Milnthorp, the city’s manager of parks, recreation and culture on Monday afternoon. “We’re unable to pinpoint the source of the leak.”
Repair crews have been using an infrared heat sensor from the fire department and camera that goes inside the pipes to find the problem.
Milnthorp said construction crews have been able to eliminate the tank side of the pool and have isolated the problem to the supply side. However, there are 16 different places where the supply system feeds water back to the pool’s tank – and they’re all underground.
“We can’t possibly dig up all 16,” Milnthorp said. “We’re doing the best we can, but it’s leaking a lot of water – more than we can sustain. We don’t anticipate fixing the problem will be difficult once we find the source of the leak.”
He said it’s possible the 6.4 earthquake felt in Campbell River last Sept. 9 caused some damage underground, which would have gone unnoticed until the system was started up.
Centennial Pool opened for the summer on June 1.
The Campbell River Salmon Kings swim club got back in the water the following Monday and were looking forward to a new season.
But Milnthorp said it was quickly apparent there was a problem with the pool and the decision was made last Friday to shut it down.
That’s affecting the Salmon Kings, who may have to look for a new home.
“The problem with the pool is unfortunate,” said Janice Scriba, president of the Campbell River Salmon Kings. “We have had to cancel several days of swim sessions so far.”
Liz Wilson, publicity manager of the Salmon Kings, said on Tuesday the club had to practice at the indoor Strathcona Gardens pool.
“We had a meet in Duncan last weekend and we are in Victoria at the commonwealth pool this weekend, so it is very important that the Salmon Kings get their training time,” Wilson said.
Her son, who attends Willow Point elementary, was supposed to go on a field trip to Centennial Pool Monday but the trip had to be cancelled at the last minute.
“Two classes from Ecole Willow Point were just walking to catch the city bus to make it to the outdoor pool for their field trip when the teachers received a call that the pool was closed,” Wilson said. “The kids were all very disappointed.”
Milnthorp said he can’t speculate as to when the pool will re-open.