East Hants Aquatic Centre – Flood Damage Closure
Update: March 26, 2024 | Facility & Programming Update
Since the July 2023 flooding, substantial progress continues to take place at the facility. Based on the latest lead times for essential equipment required to operate the pools, we are targeting a reopening in early Summer 2024.
While we had initially hoped to be open to the public for late Spring, additional time is required once pools are operational to retrain and hire Aquatics staff in preparation for opening. We have started the recruitment process and are excited to welcome back the Aquatics team.
Preventative measures are also taking place to ensure this does not happen again at the facility.
Thank you for your patience as we work to restore this beautiful facility and bring this service back to our community.
Update: January 10, 2024 | Facility & Programming Update
We appreciate community members support and patience as we continue to restore the East Hants Aquatic Centre following extensive flood damage. We know that many of you use the facility to support your mental and physical wellbeing and we are committed to re-opening as soon as possible.
As the community knows, an unprecedented amount of rain occurred on July 21, 2023 – more than we typically get in an entire summer. The flooding caused major damage to the facility’s main electrical and mechanical systems, including HVAC equipment, fire suppression systems, specialized pool equipment and millwork. Fortunately, there was minimal damage to the main floor and pools themselves, but some of the building and pool systems still required repairs and replacements.
What has been done so far?
- Initial remediation work throughout the building is complete. This includes: removal of all damaged equipment and an intense cleaning.
- An engineering firm was used to evaluate the damage to the building, primarily the electrical and mechanical systems, and prepare the scope of work required to bring the building back to its pre-flooding state.
We are very pleased with the work that has been completed to date. The electrical system has undergone extensive work and is now running at full power. This was the crucial first step to allow the heating systems, security systems, fire suppression and lighting to be restored.
What is next?
- We are still working on the building automation system repairs and reconstructing the millwork in the offices and main reception areas. We expect to finish this work later this winter.
- The last repairs required to have the facility fully operational are the remaining mechanical and pool system repairs. These systems are extremely specialized, so order lead times are lengthy. These systems, and studying how to prevent this event from reoccurring are our top priorities.
The East Hants Aquatic Centre will remain closed while final repairs are completed. We continue to be optimistic that we will be open for spring or summer programming in 2024.
Thank you for your continued support.
Update: October 16, 2023 | Facility & Programming Update
As the community knows, the flooding from the significant rainfall event on July 21 greatly impacted the East Hants Aquatic Center. The flooding caused major damage to the facility’s main electrical and mechanical systems.
Lead times on replacement equipment for these commercial components are extremely lengthy. East Hants is working with insurance providers, engineers and contractors to source the necessary equipment as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, delivery and installation dates are unknown and depend on many factors.
The East Hants Aquatic Centre will remain closed for the remainder of 2023 and into 2024. The Municipality is optimistic that we will be able to open for spring or summer programming in 2024.
Update: August 29, 2023 | Facility & Programming Update
The aquatic centre and splash pad facilities will remain closed for the Fall 2023 season. Our teams are still working on restoring equipment and systems that were damaged during the July 21st flood. We remain committed to updating the community on the status of re-opening when we have new information to share and anticipate our next update will be later in the fall months.
In the meantime, our Fall recreation guide is available now. Registration day is Wednesday, August 30 at 12 p.m.
Update: August 14, 2023 | Facility & Programming Update
Our thanks go out to residents and community members for their patience as our facility is being restored due to flooding damage.
On Side Restoration (a professional restoration team) has been working diligently to dry and clean the building. The damage to our mechanical equipment was extensive.
Unfortunately, the facility will remain closed throughout the Fall, as we work through necessary repairs to restore the mechanical systems. This means there will not be any swimming or aquatics programming.
All memberships and payments will continue to be frozen and extended by the closure’s full length once our re-opening date is determined. If you paid in full for a membership and want to request a refund, you can do so by emailing: aquatics@easthants.ca. 10 Punch passes for the Aquatic Centre are not refundable, but will be valid and extended once a reopening timeframe has been established.
We will still be offering other recreational programming during the Fall months. Our Fall Recreation Guide will be released by August 21, with registration planned for Wednesday, August 30 at 12 p.m. We will provide more details for an in-person registration option when our program guide is released.
We sincerely appreciate all of the kind messages we have received from the community. We will continue to provide updates on the progress of our facility as we work through the necessary repairs. Questions about the facility can be directed to: aquatics@easthants.ca
Update: July 27, 2023 | Facility Update
The East Hants Aquatic Centre took on significant amounts of water due to the storm events that occurred across the Province. Stormwater entered the facility on both the upper and lower levels, flooding the basement with several feet of water and the upper level with a few inches. The basement of the EHAC holds the primary electrical services for the building, mechanical systems that run the pool tanks and the heating system for the building.
Over the weekend our staff, along with support from our Fire Service and the Special Hazard Response Unit, mitigated damages to the building by removing the water and ensuring the chemicals in the building were stable. Restoration professionals are now onsite and have begun the process of drying and cleaning the building. We will be assessing the scope and scale of damages to the building following the clean-up.
We appreciate the kind messages and well wishes we have received from the community and EHAC membership. These messages reinforce the importance of the Centre to our community. We recognize the hardship this puts on our 73 team members who run our programs and services through this facility. Although we do not have a timeline for re-opening, we will keep the community updated as we work through the recovery process.
Update: July 26, 2023 | Aquatic Summer Programming
We are sorry to announce that all programming scheduled for the summer at the East Hants Aquatic Centre has been cancelled. All registered participants have been issued a refund for the remaining classes. This includes all swim lessons, leadership courses and birthday parties. Registration for Aquatic Fall Programming (including swim lessons, leadership courses and birthday parties) will be postponed until further notice.
Thank you for your patience as we work through this matter. Stay safe.
July 22, 2023
We are extremely sorry to announce that the East Hants Aquatic Centre and Splash Pad will remain closed due to flooding caused by yesterday’s storm.
Staff and contractors are working diligently to understand the extent of the damage inside the building, at this point we do not have an estimated re-open date.
All Aquatic Centre memberships will be automatically frozen. All Aquatic Centre programs and services, including recreation programs (Day-Camp, Art Programs, etc.) scheduled for the week of July 23 will be cancelled and refunded appropriately. This process may take 1-2 weeks to complete and appear on credit card statements.
Recreation programs at other locations throughout the municipality will continue as planned. We will let participants know the status of the remaining summer programs running out of the Aquatics Centre by mid-week this week.
Thank you for your patience as we work through this matter. Stay safe.
