WATERLOO – Wilfrid Laurier University’s 50-metre swimming pool will undergo significant repairs this summer thanks to a funding partnership involving the university, students, community aquatic groups and the cities of Waterloo and Kitchener.

The $2.2-million repair project is expected to commence the first week of June and be completed by the end of September.

The 35-year-old pool is the only 50-metre competitive aquatic facility in Waterloo Region and is used by many community groups, including the Region of Waterloo Swim Club (ROW), the KW Synchronized Swim Club, the Waterloo Regional Synchronized Swim Club, the KW Water Polo Club, and high schools, elementary schools and Special Olympics athletes.

The aging pool was scheduled to close last year due to the urgent need for costly repairs. However, given the importance of the facility to the university and community aquatic groups, fund-raising efforts were launched and approximately $2.2 million in financial commitments were received.

The repair work is expected to extend the life of the pool to provide the community with time to develop a longer-term plan for a new competitive swim facility in the region.

“The Laurier pool has been a valued community asset for nearly four decades,” said David McMurray, Laurier’s dean of students and assistant vice-president: student services. “The renovation project is an excellent example of cooperation between the university, our students, and our municipal and community partners.”

Key components of the pool repairs include:

* Replacement of the air-handling and de-humidification system
* Replacement of the curtain wall and the repair of pressure-relief valves in the pool
* Some building reconstruction, including masonry, insulation and vapour barrier
* Improvements to the mechanical space to improve health-and-safety and water quality
* Improvements to interior finishes, including the pool deck, walls, drains and equipment

The Laurier Athletic Complex will suspend all pool programming from May 31 until early September.