Winnipeg's Sherbrook Pool reopens after 4-year closure

SherbrookPool has finally reopenedmore than four years after an inspection prompted its sudden closure.

City and provincial dignitaries, along with other officials, opened the doors to the 86-year-old West End facility at 10 a.m. Monday.

"It is with great pleasure that we are announcing the reopening of the Kinsmen Sherbrook Pool, a staple in the community for over 80 years," said Mayor Brian Bowman.

"Community gathering places like the Kinsmen Sherbrook Pool are an integral part of what keeps our communities strong, and it's great to finally have this resource available to community members once again."

The pool was"temporarily closed" on Nov. 29, 2012, due to structural concerns.Every time there was an anticipated date to reopen, something else came up.

"[I feel] very happy, relieved, excited. It's been a long haul," said Marianne Cerilli, a member of Friends of Sherbrook pool, a group whichadvocatesfor the facility's preservation and improvement.

In the end, the rehabilitation work included structural repairs to the roof, support beams and pool tank, mechanical repairs to the water service, draining, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, electrical and fire alarm system upgrades as well as improvements to the change rooms, washrooms and shower facilities, and enhanced accessibility of the building's entrance and main floor washrooms.

• Sherbrook Pool being examined by engineers
• Sherbrook Pool reopening delayed until mid-June, possibly later
• Cost to fix, reopen Sherbrook Pool pegged at $6.2M

As the list of repairs grew, so did the cost. That caused further delays as the city looked for funding from the province and from within its own budget.

• Winnipeg's Sherbrook Pool awaits repairs, funds from province

In March 2014,Cerillisaid the group was told it mightreopenin January 2015.

Sherbrook Pool in Winnipeg's West End reopens

8 years ago

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Sherbrook Pool has finally reopened more than four years after an inspection prompted its sudden closure.

That date was later changed to May, then June, thenOctober and, finally, to Monday.

"That's what's been kind of exhausting. We've had a couple times where we've been planning a big celebration, a pool party,"Cerilli said.

"That will happen this late winter or early spring. We just put everything on hold until we actually had the pool open because we were wasting a lot of time and energy getting everything in place then only to be told that it would be delayed again."

To help cover the cost of the repairs and keep the pool operating for years to come, theKinsman Club of Winnipeg stepped up and donated $1 million.

• Sherbrook Pool to resurface with new name after repairs
• Sherbrook Pool to stay afloat with $1M donation

As a result, the facility was officially renamed the KinsmenSherbrookPool.

"The Kinsmen Club of Winnipeg is thrilled to support the Kinsmen Sherbrook Pool. The benefits that a facility like this provides to the community are immeasurable in terms of not only physical wellness but also as a healthy meeting place for members of the local community," said Chris Preston, president of the Kinsmen Club of Winnipeg.

Cerillisaid now that the pool is open they are excited to start bringing in new ideas for programming. On top of swimming classes Cerilli said they are looking into a floating film festival, programming for seniors and bringing back a women's-only swimming event, which was previously hosted by the Canadian Muslim Women's Institute.

However, the pool is ready to go for Winnipeggers looking to warm up.

"SherbrookPool is known for being balmy so we are encouraging people to escape the winter by going to the Sherbrook Pool," Cerilli said.