Paint problems delayed pool construction

Installation of the structural steel beams for the city's new swimming pool resumed on Tuesday, after paint problems resulted in a construction delay.

The steel beams for the city's $36.25 million new downtown pool arrived on site earlier this year, as scheduled, a city spokesperson said in an email.

"As crews were erecting the beams, it was observed that the coating on the beams was not properly protecting the steel from corrosion," the city spokesperson said. "Installation was halted and components were sent to a local shop for recoating. This work has now been completed and installation of the structural steel components resumed today (Tuesday)."

The total cost of recoating the beams, and the impact the delay will have on the overall project timeline, had not be determined as of Tuesday, the spokesperson said. Once those details are known, they'll be presented to city council during an open meeting.

In a report to city council on Feb. 22, city acting director of civic operations Blake McIntosh said work on the pool was roughly 25 per cent complete, and was on time and on  budget at that point. Installation of the structural steel elements had already begun at that point.

Also on Feb. 22, city council voted in favour of adding at Ninja Cross obstacle course to the new pool. The cost of the obstacle course, which will hang from the ceiling and be retracted when not in use, added $500,000 to the projected budget.

In an Oct. 28, 2017, referendum, Prince George voters voted 62.48 in favour of allowing the city to borrow up to $35 million to build the new pool, to replace the now-closed Four Seasons Leisure Pool.

The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George contributed an additional $750,000 to the project.

In February this year, city council voted to use $9.5 million of $10 million in federal grant money received by the city towards the project to reduce amount of money the city has to borrow to pay for the project. The remaining $500,000 of grant money was used to cover the cost of the Ninja Cross course.