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Update Oct. 11, 2024
UVic has awarded the contract for the comprehensive condition evaluation, and it is proceeding as planned.
Updated Sept. 12, 2024
As communicated this summer, the university has proceeded with the closure of the McKinnon pool to conduct a more detailed engineering study and develop a comprehensive understanding of the work needed to safely reopen the pool for the next three to five years. The University has identified a multidisciplinary team of architects and engineers who specialize in aquatic systems to carry out this study. Part of the study will include some testing at the base of the pool. As such, on Thursday, September 19th, the pool will be drained, and safety guard rails are being installed around the perimeter of the pool so that this work can proceed.
Currently, we expect the results of this study prior to the end of the calendar year. It will provide greater detail, and further cost estimates to add to the surveys and structural engineering reports already in hand, and will confirm the investment required to keep the McKinnon Pool operating for three to five years as an interim solution, while longer-term options can be fully explored. We will determine the appropriate next steps for the pool based on the results of this study.
The University will continue to provide updates regarding the McKinnon pool as information becomes available.
Questions related to updates about the McKinnon pool should be sent to mckinnonpool@uvic.ca
Q. Why is UVic closing the pool on September 15? Will it reopen?
UVic must address the issue of aging infrastructure, which is not unique to our institution and reflects a broader challenge nationally. The McKinnon Pool is nearing the end of its anticipated lifespan and facing a multitude of challenges that, if not addressed promptly, threaten the safety of its users and its continued operation.
While the pool is closed, UVic will hire a consultant to lead a more detailed engineering study to better understand the work required to keep the pool operational for an additional 3-5 years, including cost estimates for repairs, maintenance, and operations. Once we have this additional information from the multi-disciplinary team of architects and engineers, we will be better prepared to respond to public offers of support for funds to cover costs associated with keeping the pool open on an interim basis.
Q. Has an assessment been done before? What was the decision-making process? Who was consulted?
In 2023, UVic engineering staff with significant experience caring for the McKinnon Pool conducted an assessment of the pool, which revealed significant remediation requirements to keep the pool operational even on a short-term basis. To support this assessment, Facilities Management hired an external engineering firm for a targeted structural assessment (roof structure, walls, and other above-grade level elements). A summary report was provided to university leadership to support decision making that led to the pool closure on September 15, 2024.
With the pool nearing the end of its expected lifespan, remediation requirements were greater than expected, both in terms of cost and time. As well, the number of emergency shutdowns to deal with escalating remediation needs has increased in recent years.
Q. Can UVic extend the timeline for closure?
The pool closed, as announced, on September 15. UVic is engaging a consultant to conduct a study to assess what would be needed to keep the pool operational for an additional 1-5 years, including cost estimates for repairs, maintenance, and operations.
While we would have liked to provide our community with more than two-months’ notice, safety and regulatory repairs identified by an external engineering firm are necessary to keep the pool operational beyond the scheduled closure date—whether it be on a short-term or permanent basis.
The original closure date was scheduled for August 31 but was extended to September 15, 2024, to cover the Commonwealth Pool’s annual shutdown from September 1-15, 2024.
Q. Why are the windows overlooking the pool painted white?
It is standard practice for windows to be covered at a construction or renovation site to ensure privacy and safety. The white paint helps to obscure the view, preventing distractions and maintaining a secure environment for the ongoing work.
Q. Why is there a rail system surrounding the pool?
The installation of a robust rail system is a necessary safety measure as engineers undertake a detailed study. Fall protection is crucial for ensuring the safety of those conducting the assessment and for student clubs who store their equipment under the bleachers.
Q. Why has the aquatic booking system disappeared?
The pool will not re-open the pool until the necessary renovations and remediation, as identified by the earlier review and this more detailed engineering study, are funded and completed. Therefore, McKinnon Pool is not in a position to accept aquatic bookings.
Q. Who was actively using the pool? Where can they swim?
The McKinnon Pool was used as a secondary training location for the Vikes varsity swim program. Consultation with the varsity program leadership indicated that the varsity team conducts most of their training at Commonwealth Pool due to its 50-metre lanes. It also hosted the Pacific Coast Swimming (PCS) community youth program, student-run clubs, summer camps, and public lane swims. The varsity and PCS swim programs and some of the student aquatic clubs are now operating out of Saanich Commonwealth Pool.
In recent years, based on the number of individual booked lane swims, use of the McKinnon Pool by students, staff, faculty and community has declined.
UVic sold 42 memberships to community users last year. Community members who have memberships extending beyond the closure date have or will receive a prorated refund.
The Gordon Head and Oak Bay recreation centres have pool facilities near the UVic campus. Regional pools also include Crystal Pool, Saanich Commonwealth Pool, Panorama Pool, Esquimalt Recreation Centre, and Juan de Fuca Pool.
Q. What is the impact to student athletes?
Going forward, varsity athletes will train solely at Commonwealth Pool. For several years, most of their training has been at Commonwealth Pool, as it has 50-metre competition length lanes. In June 2024, UVic leaders and the head coach of Vikes swimming hosted an online meeting for student athletes—as primary users of the pool—to address questions and concerns related to the closure of McKinnon.
As well, UVic and the community youth program Pacific Coast Swimming (PCS) have a partnership through shared pool time at Commonwealth Pool and coaching resources. Read the PCS statement.
Q. What is the cost to keep the pool open? Is it a one-time $1.5 million?
The McKinnon Pool, at 50 years old, is nearing the end of its planned lifetime. Short-term, to maintain the minimum safety standards to keep the pool operational, the engineering summary conducted in 2023 estimates at least $1,525,000 for remediations and a several-month closure. This conservative estimate does not include consulting costs, contingency costs or investments necessary for seismic upgrades or ongoing operational and maintenance costs. Longer-term, further assessments would need to be completed for a more accurate estimate, but it is expected to be several million dollars.
Given the feedback received regarding the closure of the McKinnon pool, while the pool is closed, UVic will hire a consultant to lead a more detailed engineering study to better understand the work required to keep the pool operational for an additional three to five years, including cost estimates for repairs, maintenance, and operations. Once we have this additional information from the multi-disciplinary team of architects and engineers, we will be better prepared to respond to public offers of support for funds to cover costs associated with keeping the pool open on an interim basis.
Once we have that information, if the costs are not prohibitive, we would welcome working with those who have shared their willingness to support raising funds to operate the pool on an interim basis. UVic does not have additional funding available in our current fiscal environment to cover the expected costs.
The pool currently operates at an annual deficit of approximately $260,000, with costs at $340,000 and revenue (from rentals, memberships, etc.) at $80,000. There have also been additional costs for emergency repairs. Aging infrastructure coupled with competing priorities and limited financial resources often necessitates tough decisions about the allocation of funds and services.
Q. What are UVic’s longer-term plans with respect to aquatics facilities?
UVic’s infrastructure needs are outlined in our Five-Year Capital Plan, which is approved by UVic’s Board of Governors and shared with the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills to ensure alignment with provincial priorities. Our priority is currently student housing, to help address the housing shortage in our community.
There is opportunity for a new pool at UVic’s Centre for Athletics, Recreation and Special Abilities (CARSA). Since opening in 2015, CARSA has been a community hub for athletics and recreation resources and facilities. CARSA was originally designed with an aquatic facility to replace the aging McKinnon facility, including a 50-metre competition pool at an estimated cost of $25 million (at the time, not accounting for inflation or rising costs of materials and labour). Although we were unable to secure funding (donor or otherwise) at the time of construction, an area was designed, plumbed and reserved for a pool should priorities and funding change in the future. UVic would welcome a modern and accessible aquatics facility for our student athletes and community at CARSA.
Several other post-secondary institutions in British Columbia have municipally operated aquatics facilities located on their campuses, with students, faculty and staff able to access the facility with their ONECard equivalents. This is a potential model that UVic would be willing to explore for CARSA.
Q. What about the rest of the McKinnon Building?
Access to McKinnon’s change rooms, washrooms and showers continue to be available to commuters to campus, as well as to students, staff, faculty, and sport groups who participate in classes and programs in the McKinnon Gym.
Sections of the McKinnon Building were renovated in 2016 to create teaching and research space for the School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education, which will not be impacted.
Q. What efforts were made to repair or replace the pool prior to the September 15 closure?
Aging infrastructure, coupled with limited financial resources, is a challenge faced by UVic and similar facilities nationally. With no infrastructure allocation for the pool and the pool operating at a loss annually, it was not possible to save for a new pool or for the major renovations necessary to extend the pool’s expected lifespan.
Instead, CARSA was designed in 2008 to include an aquatic facility to replace the aging McKinnon facility. Despite efforts, we were unable to obtain the necessary funding or debt room to build CARSA to its full design, and the aquatics facility was pushed to a phase II, should new funding and partnership opportunities materialize. The university is still paying off the initial costs to complete phase I of CARSA, including through athletic and recreation programs and services.
Q. Are there any new resources or facilities being provided in September?
We are excited to launch the CARSA Active Space this fall. This recently renovated, open concept space in CARSA provides members a place to move, stretch and breathe. Members can access the new Active Space without additional fees.
All students are welcome to attend Vikes Nation events. Please continue to check the web page for new and upcoming events.
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