Annual Aquatics Maintenance Shutdown

September 5 to October 22, 2023. 

To ensure longevity, functionality, safety and efficiency of the aquatics area in order to meet the evolving needs of our community.  
 
By prioritizing all repairs and maintenance to occur during the annual shutdown, the Eastlink Centre can provide a superior experience for residents during the rest of the year.

Some of the higher priority tasks include: 

• Deep cleaning of all amenities, including the diving boards. 

• Addressing broken tiles and repairing lights. 

• Completing line painting in the 50-metre pool basin. 

• Refurbishing the 25-metre pool liner. 

• Repairing the 50-metre pool bulkhead mechanical drive system. 

• Completing over 3,100 square metres of deck resurfacing. 

• Installing sound mitigation panels. 

• Preventative maintenance and mechanical repairs to the boilers, pumps, filtration and disinfection systems.  

To accommodate more extensive and larger maintenance work required in 2023. Much of the work to be completed during this shutdown follows a ten-year maintenance cycle and has not been done since the facility opened.

Multiple reasons as follows: 

• Many of the contractors and service providers required to complete extensive maintenance in the aquatics area are from various regions in Canada and the United States. In accordance with AHS guidelines during COVID-19, these contractors and service providers were unable to travel to Grande Prairie to complete maintenance and repair work.
• Many tasks were completed while the facility was closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, but a formal shutdown was not recommended due to the inability to predict when AHS would allow the facility to re-open, potentially seeing the facility unable to open for an extended period, immediately following being closed due to AHS regulations. 
• The City made the decision to postpone the shutdown in 2022 to give people the opportunity to fully utilize the aquatics area following the two years of COVID-19 impacts.  
• As aquatics maintenance and repair work is meant to be completed annually, even if the work was completed during COVID-19 maintenance and repairs would still be required this year. 

Various reasons, including:  

• Cleaning/sanitation: Pools require regular cleaning and sanitization to maintain water quality while operational.  During the shutdown, the pools are drained for deep cleaning and sanitation including scrubbing of the walls and floors. During this process, the pool area needs to be closed to prevent the public from entering the area and being exposed to workplace activities and potentially harmful environments. 

• Repairing/replacing equipment: Pools have extensive mechanical and electrical systems, such as pumps, filters, heaters, and lighting, etc.   Over time, these components may require repairs or upgrades. When these maintenance repairs or upgrades are needed, the pool area must be closed to allow workers to access and service the pools and equipment safely, and minimize risk to the workers and the public. 

The Aquatera Outdoor Pool will remain open for as long as the weather allows and will close for the season once the forecasted temperatures on average reach plus five degrees overnight to ensure no damage is done to the infrastructure.

Yes. Most aquatics facilities in Canada have annual shutdowns to ensure longevity, functionality, safety and efficiency of their facilities. 

The maintenance is scheduled for fall as the timing is typically when kids go back to school, summer camps are finished, summer tourism ends and there are a few weeks between the end of summer programs/user groups and fall programming.  
 
Given the timeline, the Aquatera Outdoor Pool will remain open for as long as weather allows, however, it cannot solely accommodate the influx of visitors from the Eastlink Centre aquatics - including not only families but also user groups, physical therapy, rehabilitation and more.

The City made the decision to postpone the shutdown in 2022 to give people the opportunity to fully utilize the aquatics area following the two years of COVID-19 impacts.  

Working at the Aquatera Outdoor Pool until it closes for the season and completing ongoing training and development. 

Yes, by filling out the Membership Hold and Cancellation Form. However, if you still use the Eastlink Centre twice a week, then we recommend keeping your membership active. 

Yes. However, if you still use the Eastlink Centre twice a week, then we recommend keeping your membership.

If you plan on returning after the aquatics shutdown is finished, we suggest putting your membership on hold instead of cancelling. Memberships can be placed on hold or cancelled by filling out the Membership Hold and Cancellation Form.

The Eastlink Centre will not offer reduced rates during the shutdown. General maintenance, closures and shutdown periods are built into membership prices, which are set by the City's Fees and Charges Bylaw.  
 
Memberships can also be put on hold during the aquatics shutdown at members request. Drop-in users at the facility visit other amenities which will continue to be charged the regular daily drop-in rate.

The maintenance is scheduled for fall as the timing is typically when kids go back to school, summer camps are finished, summer tourism ends and there are a few weeks between the end of summer programs/user groups and fall programming.  
 
Given the timeline, the Aquatera Outdoor Pool will remain open for as long as weather allows, however, it cannot solely accommodate the influx of visitors from the Eastlink Centre aquatics - including not only families but also user groups, physical therapy, rehabilitation and more.

There is so much more to do at the Eastlink Centre outside of aquatics! The following features remain available through an Eastlink Centre membership or drop-in while the aquatics shutdown takes place: 

• Access to the fitness centre, track, squash and racquetball courts, fieldhouse, concourse and Design Works Centre.  

• Drop-in dryland instructor-led fitness classes including ZumbaTM, yoga, cycle and more. 

• Drop-in activities including basketball, pickleball and more.  

• PlayCare for children ages six-months to seven years old.  

In addition to Eastlink Centre membership benefits, Grande Access passholders also receive access to the Aquatera Outdoor Pool and Dave Barr Community Centre; discounts on City programs and birthday party packages; and unlimited skate rentals at the Design Works Centre. 

Our staff are working to create dryland workout, class and other alternatives for various aquatics activities. This will be released closer to the aquatics shutdown date so stay tuned!

Active Eastlink Centre members and Grande Access passholders can access the following facilities for a member exclusive free or reduced rate during the shutdown:

• Free access to Aquatera Outdoor Pool.
• Free access to the Beaverlodge Swimming Pool, located in the NuVista Energy Centre, for up to 80 Eastlink Centre members during Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday public swim hours.
• Free access to Pomeroy pool (located at 11633 100 Street, Grande Prairie, AB) beginning September 9. Please note some limitations apply.
• Discounted rate at Greenview Regional Multiplex (located at 4803 56 Ave, Valleyview, AB).
• Discounted rate for aquatics at the Grande Cache Recreation Centre (located at 10450 Hoppe Ave, Grande Cache, AB).
• Discounted admission rate for the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum.

The facilities listed are also available for drop-in users during the aquatics shutdown at the regular rate. Visitors attending partner facilities are reminded to follow each individual facility’s schedules, requirements and rules for pool use.

The Eastlink Centre has other initiatives during the shutdown to encourage visitors to explore and try something new at the facility including:

• a bingo game; 
• special dryland fitness classes in place of existing aquatics fitness classes; and
• the Fall Fitness Pass, featuring five drop-in visits for the price of three from September 1 to December 31.

Partner facilities continue to be available for drop-in users during the aquatics shutdown at the regular rate. Visitors attending partner facilities are reminded to follow each individual facility’s schedules, requirements and rules for pool use.

Yes! Please scan the QR code once you get to the partner location you are visiting, or visit their guest services desk to check-in.

Through the check-in procedure where you will provide your full name and email address to confirm active membership.

Nope! Just check in at the front desk or using the QR code and leave the rest to us.