Construction of the new swimming pool under construction hit a major milestone last week.
Crews from Chandos Construction finished pouring the building's concrete foundation, according to an update issued by the city on Friday. The operation involved pouring roughly 1,100 cubic metres of concrete and was completed on schedule.
Over the next few months, workers will be installing the steel superstructure of the building – including steel columns up to 15 metres long. This phase is expected to be complete in the spring, with construction of the building envelope to following.
In an update to city council earlier this week, city acting director of civic operations Blake McIntosh said he expects the pool project to be completed in the third quarter of 2022 – on time and on budget.
In 2017, Prince George voters approved the city borrowing up to $35 million to build a new pool to replace the Four Seasons Leisure Pool. That budget has since increased to $35.75 million, however the city received $10 million in provincial and federal grants towards the cost of the project.
Traffic disruptions in the area of the construction site, near Seventh Avenue and Dominion Street, are expected to continue for at least a month, according to the city's update.
"(The) traffic signals at the intersection will remain set to flashing red lights for at least another month and the intersection will continue functioning as a four-way stop," the update said. "At various times, sections of Dominion Street between 7th Avenue and 6th Avenue, and parts of 7th Avenue between Dominion and Quebec Street will need to be closed and reduced to two-lane traffic in both directions. The City of Prince George greatly appreciates the patience and understanding of residents during the building of this critical new civic amenity."
For more information about the project, go online to www.princegeorge.ca/newpool. A time-lapse video of the construction can be viewed online at www.youtube.com/watch?v=_52B6ZTEC3M&feature=emb_logo.
