No injuries reported; Perth pool expected to reopen Saturday following safety review
PERTH — The Perth and District Indoor Pool is taking an unscheduled break after a chunk of its ceiling decided to go for a swim.
On March 31, during regular use, an approximately 18-inch piece of concrete broke loose overhead and dropped straight into the pool. Luckily, no one was hurt.
Staff cleared the building immediately and called in a structural engineer the same day to figure out what just happened inside the nearly 50-year-old facility.
“The Town engaged a structural engineer the same day to assess the situation and determine next steps. The Town conducts regular health and safety and condition inspections of all facilities, along with periodic reviews by a Professional Engineer. This issue was not previously identified as an immediate risk and presented unexpectedly,” said Cathy McNally, director of Community Services.
The pool has been closed since March 31, but the shutdown won’t drag on long. The Town says it has already removed loose debris and completed initial safety work. An engineer has now signed off on a temporary return to service, with doors expected to reopen Saturday, April 4.
More repairs will be needed, though exactly what that looks like and how much it will cost remains unclear. According to McNally, the final price tag will depend on what turns up as they dig deeper, with funding to come through the Town’s usual capital and reserve channels.
This isn’t the pool’s first hiccup, but it’s not a repeat offender either. There has been only one other unexpected closure in the past two years, tied to a pump issue.
This latest incident shines a spotlight on an aging piece of community infrastructure. Built in the 1970s and celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the pool is still a daily go-to for swimmers, families, and lane warriors alike. But like any half-century-old building, it’s starting to show its age in ways you can’t always predict.
“We take incidents like this extremely seriously. We will ensure the appropriate repairs are completed and will only reopen once the pool is confirmed safe for our community,” added McNally.
For now, the Perth pool sits in a cautious timeout, waiting for the all-clear to dive back into business.
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