Mayfair Pool future questioned
Upgrading aging facility would cost city millions, report tells councillors
Lana Haight, The StarPhoenix
Published: Monday, April 28, 2008
Mayfair Pool is a leaky vessel and the fix will not come cheap.
A report going to Saskatoon city council's executive committee this afternoon raises a red flag over the future of the outdoor pool in the Caswell Hill neighbourhood.
"The Mayfair Pool has been in operation for the past 50 years and it has reached its life expectancy," wrote Catherine Gryba, the city's leisure services branch manager, in her report to the committee.
During the spring of 2006, the pool, with its 312,000 gallon capacity, lost 7,000 gallons of water per day. The problem lies with the underground pipe systems, says the report. The short-term fix in 2006 would have cost $140,000, but that wouldn't have solved all of the pool's structural problems.
"Over the next five to 10 years, structural repair of the pool apron and mechanical room, and replacement of below grade piping, will be required at an estimate of $1 million (in 2006 dollars)," says the report.
However, the upgrades wouldn't stop there. Because such repairs would be considered "major," the city would be required to overhaul all of the mechanical systems to meet provincial swimming pool regulations.
"In effect, this would mean the entire pool would need to be rebuilt. In 2007, the estimated cost to rebuilt was $3 million to $5 million," notes the report.
Located on 32nd Street West between avenues F and G, Mayfair pool is a popular spot for many families.
"I'm pretty sure most of the houses in this neighbourhood don't have the best insulation. Unless you have central air, they get very, very hot. That pool's a life-saver on some of those hot days," said Tanis Shanks, who moved to Caswell Hill with her husband and children two years ago after they bought a house there.
Shanks, who describes her family as "a family of swimmers," used the pool three times a week last summer -- to cool off, have fun and get some exercise. Being able to walk to the pool is important, she says.
"Not everyone has a vehicle, and with the rising cost of gasoline, I know I don't want to drive if I don't have to."
Melanie Sadler, secretary for the Caswell Hill community association, sees the pool as an asset for the neighbourhood as more young families buy homes in the area.
"I love it. It's one of my favourite things about the neighbourhood," said Sadler, who lives kitty-corner to the pool.
"There's lots of kids in the neighbourhood. In the summer, when I go by, there are always kids playing in the pool. It's a place where they go to hang out and do constructive things. Having things for do, in general, is a good thing."
The $3-million to $5-million price tag for a new outdoor pool is an awful lot of money, says Darren Hill, the city councillor for the area. But he says if the pool is closed, some other form of recreational facility would need to be built as a replacement and the cost for any facility would likely be as much.
"A lot of crime is the result of bored youth and nothing to do," he said.
The city is going into the consultation process with the community ready to listen to all ideas, says Hill.
Ten years ago, the city considered closing the pool and decided to keep it open because of "public outcry." Hill doesn't know if residents will feel the same this time around.
Dates for public meetings haven't been set. The report says community associations in the area will be involved in developing the plan to consult with the residents.
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I think reconstructing this recreational area in the city core would be a huge aid to the redevelopment of the Mayfair area.
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.....even if we do though I'm sure the bitter taste of the sask parties decision will still be lingering.
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