Each year the pools at West Shore Parks and Recreation get a couple weeks off from entertaining the public.

Those weeks arenB次元官网网址檛 spend with rest and relaxation though, full days are spent in the aquatic facility focusing on cleaning and repairing everything from the lights in the rafters to soaking the bottom of the hot tub in a chemical bath.

On top of the general maintenance duties during the pool closure, this year the pool is getting something new. When swimmers return to the pool Dec. 19 the water will be disinfected with an ultra violet system.

B次元官网网址淭he UV light takes the combined chloride and break it down,B次元官网网址� said said Ron Deitrich, WSPR maintenance supervisor. He explained when the chorine in the pool mixes with organic materials in the water the chlorine concentrates.  B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 that combination that creates red eye (in swimmers.)B次元官网网址�

The pool has also upgraded its chloromatic system which will help save money and makes the maintenance on the chloricnation process easier, Dietrich said.

Chlorine is added to the water by using a saline chilorinate system. The pool is full of salt water and when the water passes through chlorination cell electricity creates chlorine in the water.

B次元官网网址淭he UV kills (the chlorine) to levels that are barely even noticeable,B次元官网网址� Deitrich said.  B次元官网网址淚 think we are going to have the best water weB次元官网网址檝e ever had.B次元官网网址�

The pools filters and pumps are also undergoing maintenance.

B次元官网网址淭he salt water is much harder on our pumps (than fresh water),B次元官网网址� Dietrich said.

This year the main pool hasnB次元官网网址檛 been drained and its 802,000 litres of water will remain in the pool for another year.

B次元官网网址�(We can) leave the water in the pool for four to five years,B次元官网网址� Deitrich said. While that may be the case most years, the staff do drain all of the pools to keep up with repairs.

The adventure pool and the hot tub have both been drained. The maintenance staff are busing patching and cleaning the pool floors and sides. They fix cracks and remove stains and grind off all rust.

B次元官网网址淲e fight a lot of corrosion, in this humidity it is so bad,B次元官网网址� Dietrich said.

Areas with jets in the pools often have more wear and tear issues. ItB次元官网网址檚 important for staff to maintain the marcite floors and walls of the pools to ensure water doesn't make it to the cement underneath.

B次元官网网址淭he hot tub takes so much more abuse, the power of the jets is so much greater,B次元官网网址� Dietrich said.

B次元官网网址淲e go through every drain and where ever else dirt will collect or rust may occur,B次元官网网址� Dietrich said.

The entire pool deck is being regrouted, as it is every year. Regrouting the floor can add some grip to the floor. Old cracked or loose tiles are also being replaced.

The tiles in the steam room are also being regrouted and some of the wood in the sauna is being replaced as well.

The change rooms are also being cleaned top to bottom.

B次元官网网址淭here have been so many times when the patrons come back in and say they pool looks the same. They say B次元官网网址淲hat did you do?B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� Dietrich said.

The Juan de Fuca pool closed Dec. 5 and will reopen on Dec. 19.

reporter@goldstreamgazette.com