The Athabasca Regional Multiplex pool had a great starting weekend, but the brand new facility is dealing with some growing pains.
Speaking at the June 26 meeting of the Athabasca Regional Multiplex Society, Multiplex manager Kelsea Brown said they have to run some features, including the water slide, lazy river and spray features, on a rotating basis due to pressure problems.
“It’s not getting enough pressure to maintain the water level to run all three at the same time,” Brown said.
She said they can run one or two features at the same time, but they have to wait for the master of pools to fix the issue.
“If you can’t run those three items at a time, then we don’t pay our bill,” Athabasca County Reeve Larry Armfelt said. “We paid a hell of a price for some engineers to figure that baby out. I can figure out a garden hose, but I don’t charge for that.”
Other repairs and fixes mentioned during the meeting were a malfunctioning fire alarm, a leak in the new fitness centre and a fix of a new concrete pour to stop leaks between the pool and curling rink.
Policy
The society also discussed policy enforcement and adaptations.
“The rules need to be enforced,” Town of Athabasca Coun. Tannia Cherniwchan said after hearing about policy difficulties.
The concerns stemmed from damage to the water slide from lifejacket buckles and jewellery.
“It sounds like common sense to me,” Armfelt said about removing such before using the water slide.
Athabasca County manager Ryan Maier asked about reviewing policy, saying other water slides require children needing lifejackets to instead have a parent accompany them.
Despite the need for policy and repairs, Brown said their first weekend was a success.
“It was a great weekend,” she said. “[We got] mostly positive weekend.”
Members of the society reported back especially positive words for the employees.
Athabasca County Reeve Larry Armfelt said he wanted more communication between the members of the society rather than to hear things from the public.
“I hear it from the public before I hear it from Christi (Bilsky),” Armfelt said. “It’s called the land of the whispering hills — it has relevance here. I’d rather hear the facts than silliness.”
Brown said she would do research into the rules.
Suspension
Code of conduct procedure came up at the meeting following six suspensions. Brown said that on June 6, she suspended six teens.
“A group of boys were being disrespectful to pool staff and facility,” Brown said. She said there was a damaged wall.
Five of the boys received one-month suspension and one received a six-month suspension. Two suspensions were lifted after Brown had discussions with two of the teens’ parents.
The society decided to consider the policy further later, but members expressed a desire for harsher rulings.
“I think we need to be a bit more severe with our policies, especially when we are starting,” Town of Athabasca Coun. David Pacholok said.
Armfelt mentioned the possibility of changing policy to have either restitution or charges made for offenders.
Grand opening
The pool’s grand opening has been set for Sept. 11.
Brown said a cheque commemorating the co-operation between town and county will be unveiled at that time. A ribbon committee and tour are also being planned for the event.
