The city has dissolved the Rossland Pool Society.
Operation of one of the oldest civic outdoor pools in the province has been officially handed over to the city, which owns the pool.
City council voted on Oct. 15 to dissolve the society that has operated the pool for much of its existence.
In 2011 the remaining member of the Rossland Swimming Pool Society asked the city to take over the operation of the swimming pool. Membership to the society had reached an “all-time low and volunteer burn out was imminent.”
The city has now run the pool for two summers (2012 &2013) and has a good understanding of the financial and operational demands of the facility.
“I think it’s time we took it over officially,” said councilor Tim Thatcher. “It’s our asset so we may as well run it.”
However, the facility is aging and is struggling to keep up with changing provincial safety legislation, according to a city staff report.
The city has been notified by Interior Health that chlorine storage and the mechanical room do not meet current provincial requirements and should be rebuilt.
And, despite steady usage, the pool continues to operate at a financial loss and the facility is in need of capital upgrades.
“These concerns should be addressed during budget and social planning discussions in the near future,” said Darrin Albo, manager of public works.
The pool had reached a critical level of depreciation and experienced staff are often needed to trouble shoot maintenance and safety issues. Volunteers should not be expected to be responsible for a city facility that is nearing the end of its life cycle, read the city staff report.
The pool will be operated in the same manner as other city recreational facilities.