Prince George hotel demolished to make way for new downtown pool

A hotel in downtownPrince George, B.C.,is being demolishedto make way for a new $35-millionswimming pool to replace an aging pool located across the street.

The existingcity-owned Four Seasons Leisure Pool is almost half a century old and showing its age.

Popular pool almost half a century old

When the Four Seasons pool opened in June1970, there were two-hour lineups to get inside a facility called "a jewel" by the local newspaper. Now, 49 years later, it'sstill a popular inner-city pool, with a water slide and hot tub.

But city officials say the concrete is cracking, pipes are rusting and leaking. As well, the building's steep stairs make the pool inaccessible.

"It's only functioningbecause wekeep applying duct tape to it," said sports architect Doug Wournell.

Wournell says it's only a matter of time before caustic chemicals eat away at the swimming pool's structure.

'We keep applying duct tape'

Still, theold pool will continue operating for another three yearsuntil the new one is finished and open to swimmers.

The funding is already secured. In a 2017 referendum, Prince George citizens voted to pay $35 millionfor theirnew pool. The city is still finalizing the design and seeking additionalgrants.

But the hotel demolition now underway isthe first step toward construction.

Demolition site like a war zone

The Days Inn demolition site looks like a war zone. Three storiesof hotel rooms are open to the elements, withmissing walls and splintered floors. Flights of stairs end in mid-air abovepiles of brick and metal.

"It's a very big job," said Adam Homes, the city's director of engineering. "With these kind of demolitions we have to look out for hazardous materials."

Homes said the new pool will be all on one floor. It will be largerand more accessible forfamilies and people with disabilities. And there will still be a water slide.

"It's really exciting. These are the once-in-a-lifetime projects we get to do," said Homes.

Prince George's new downtown pool is set to open in 2022.

The city also operates a second, newer pool, the Prince George Aquatic Centre, about fivekilometresfrom downtown.