Local News
Pool reopening delayed at Airdrie's Genesis Place amid basin complications
Airdrie’s Genesis Place pool will remain closed past the previously announced Sept. 13 reopening date after staff discovered “unexpected basin complications” during routine maintenance. “The Genesis Place pool and aquatics area will not reopen on Sept. 13,” the City of Airdrie stated Friday in an update on its website. “The pool maintenance closure is expected to be extended by two weeks – at minimum.” According to the city, the delay stems from issues identified during biennial maintenance work on the dive tank and lane pool. “We discovered unexpected basin complications that will require further work and extend the duration of the pool maintenance closures,” the city stated. “Investigation is required to assess the extent of the work required on all pool basins, including the leisure pool.” Investigative work on the leisure pool cannot begin until it closes on Aug. 22. “An updated reopening timeline will be shared once investigative work and assessment is complete on all pool basins,” the city stated. As a result, registration for September and October swimming lessons and aquatic certifications has been temporarily paused. “All other program registration will continue for Aug. 10 at 8 a.m. for Airdrie and Rocky View County residents, with open registration beginning Aug. 14,” the update stated. “4Sport Kids program registration will continue though there may be impacts to swimming component scheduling. Those with bookings impacted by the extended closure, such as birthday parties, will be contacted directly by our Rentals team.” Repaving of the Fitness Centre entrance parking lot has also been delayed due to rainfall. “Repaving of the Fitness Centre entrance parking lot is also delayed as a result of rainfall volumes with an updated anticipated completion date of Aug. 20,” the city stated. Facility passholders continue to have the option to pause their facility pass while the aquatics area is closed. “Continuous passholders continue to have the option to temporarily pause their facility pass for the duration of the pool closures should they choose,” the update stated. “Pausing a pass for the closure pauses access to all facility amenities. Passes paused for the pool closures will automatically restart when the pool reopens.” In earlier updates, the city said: The dive tank was scheduled to be closed from June 24 through Sept. 12 The lane pool from July 1 through Sept. 12 The full aquatics area from Aug. 22 through Sept. 12 for refinishing and repairs Work scheduled during that period included: “Refinishing the lane pool and dive tank basins with tile” “Addressing tile and grout repairs in the leisure pool basin” “Replacing acoustic panels” “Upgrading aquatics area lighting” The broader facility has also been undergoing parking lot repairs since early July. “Work on the (west) Fitness Centre parking lot (previously scheduled to begin June 25) will now begin July 2,” the city stated in a June 13 notice. “The project’s expected completion date has not changed and continues to be scheduled for Aug. 10.” “Repaving of the Fitness Centre entrance parking lot is also delayed as a result of rainfall volumes with an updated anticipated completion date of Aug. 20,” the city stated in its latest update. “The affected area encompasses parking from the Arena entrance to the Aquatics entrance, inclusive of the Fitness Centre entrance,” the city stated. “This will at times include the Aquatics drop off area and accessible stalls.” Parking remains available at the Field House and Bert Church lots, as well as the North Arenas lot. A July 10 update confirmed that “unexpected concrete work near the rear arena doors has required their closure during parking lot construction.” Facility access remains available through other entrances. The city said summer was chosen for the work due to lower usage. “Maintenance activities at Genesis Place are scheduled during the summer, as this represents the time period with the lowest historical amenity utilization numbers,” the city stated in a May 23 notice. “Completing maintenance work during the summer allows us to impact the fewest number of patrons with temporary closures.” Sign up to get the latest local news headlines delivered directly to your inbox every afternoon. Send your news tips, story ideas, pictures, and videos to news@discoverairdrie.com. You can also message and follow us on Twitter: @AIR1061FM. DiscoverAirdrie encourages you to get your news directly from your trusted source by bookmarking this page and downloading the DiscoverAirdrie app.