The Bear Creek Pool should re-open by the end of June or early July 2018. Acting Community Living Director Karen McGriskin says the latest report from the construction manager indicates it should open to the public this summer and be within a $5 million budget.
“No surprises have come up and he’s pleased with the progress. They have regular construction meetings… every two weeks and things appear to be on schedule, so that’s great news in our world.”
The outdoor pool in Muskoseepi Park was originally built in 1962, but closed in 2013 when a large crack was noticed in the structure. Grande Prairie city council approved renovating it in the spring of 2017 with a budget of $4.5 million and several new features.
They include a tot’s pool with splash park features, a zero entry beach area, spanish steps, a games area, and a three loop waterslide that should go up in the next few weeks. Right now crews are putting ceramic tiles around the pool, installing fixtures and finishing the mechanical room.
The exact opening date of the facility will depend on the city having enough staff in place and trained. McGriskin stresses it’s important for all lifeguards and employees to know how to do their job properly ahead of time.
“With any aquatic asset that we have, we need to ensure that all of our lifeguards and staff on site are properly trained, so we need to go through some training with staff on site because it’s a different site than the Eastlink Centre.”
The City of Grande Prairie’s website currently lists multiple job openings for aquatics at the Eastlink Centre. Any for the Bear Creek Pool would appear as such.