Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre in Victoria will be closed for extended annual maintenance until next year.
From Nov. 20 to Jan. 1, 2024, the facility will be closed.
While the Crystal Pool is closed, memberships will be accepted at other recreational centres across the region.
These include the Panorama Rec Centre, SeaParc and the downtown Victoria YMCA, and in regions Saanich, Oak Bay, Esquimalt and the West Shore.
Although the pool is closing, program registration will continue and can be done online, through the phone or in person at the reception desk. Hours for reception will be 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, but will be closed during the holidays from Dec. 23 to Jan. 1, 2024.
Crystal Pool was built in 1971 and has been eyed by Victoria’s city council for potential rebuilds or renovations. At a committee of the whole meeting on Feb. 9, a motion was brought before the council to consider replacing the pool’s facility.
Victoria Coun. Matt Dell said: “In 2014, I participated in the election campaign focused on rebuilding Crystal Pool and that’s almost 10 years ago now.”
The motion to replace Crystal Pool has since passed.
Currently on the City of Victoria’s “major project” website, the Crystal Pool Replacement Project is in planning status. The website stated that “the Crystal Pool Wellness Centre Replacement Project has a goal ensuring that this infrastructure meets the community social, health, and wellness, and environmental objectives over the long term. Staff are working to develop an updated scope, timeline, and budget to begin the next phase of this project.”
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