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by Helen HallKitchener Citizen
September 13, 2016
Kiwanis Pool is changing with the times.
Built in Canada’s centennial year of 1967, the pool and park have offered a nearby getaway for the day to have a picnic, walk a trail or go for a swim.
But after 50 years, the facilities are in need of an upgrade and the City of Kitchener has budgeted $3.5-million to improve the filtration and circulation system and replace the pool floor, and make it more accessible.
“It’s a great news story,” says manager of aquatics for the City of Kitchener Denise Keelan.
“The filtration system is the most important feature of a pool and now we’re getting a new one.”
A blockhouse that is used to drain the pool is being removed during the renovation. It has always been roped off to keep swimmers away from it, so when it is removed, it will expand the available swimming area in the pool.
The beach-like sloping pool floor is currently made of a mixture of asphalt and concrete, according to Keelan. When it is rebuilt, it will only be made of concrete.
“We’re excited about incorporating tactile concrete so those either in a wheelchair or walking assisted will know they are approaching the pool,” Keelan said.
She added that there will also be colour coding for those with visual impairments that will also be “aesthetically pleasing.”
The pool has closed for the season and the water is being drained.
It will not reopen until the summer of 2018, with the bulk of the construction being done next summer.
Other facilities at the park, such as the playground and canoe launch will also remain closed next summer for public safety because of their proximity to construction machinery.
It is expected that access to the Walter Bean Trail will be available, but the city could also restrict this during construction.
Updates about the pool renovations and notifications about park closures will be listed online at www.kitchener.ca/kiwanispool.
Residents can also sign up to receive an e-newsletter from the city with updates.Signs will also be erected onsite.
The city made plans for the renovations after conducting a survey, to which 2088 people responded and favoured keeping the pool in the same beach-like design rather than adding new swimming lanes.
Additionally, 86 per cent of respondents were in favour of adding a splash pad area or spray feature to the pool.
The city currently does not have the funds for the splash pad but it could be added in the future.
While Kiwanis will be closed for the summer of 2017, Kitchener has three other outdoor pools that will be open, which include the Harry Class pool on Woodside Avenue, Wilson pool on Wilson Avenue, and Idlewood pool on Thaler Avenue.
Some Kiwanis Park facilities will be closed for a year during pool renovations
Residents cool off in the Kiwanis pool in the summer of 2015.