Y repairs hit financial snag

The City of Kelowna is being asked to make up a funding shortfall for emergency repairs going on at the Kelowna Family Y in Rutland.

Photo: Contributed - City of Kelowna

The $300,000 shortfall would come from the city's Building Repair Reserve.

Repairs to the facility have been on-going since the 2013 Christmas break and were to include repair of the failing structural concrete slab above the boiler room, which is also the floor of the women's change room.

During initial construction, the BC Safety Authority identified extensive and serious safety concerns with the facility's electrical system in the work area.

Failure to act could have resulted in a closure order for the Kelowna Family Y.

Electrical wiring systems were corroded to the point that safety could have been compromised.

Mechanical plumbing in many places was also corroded beyond expectations.

In March, a sewer pipe above the whirlpool failed due to corroded connections and the whirlpool was closed until repairs could be complete.

Given the extent of the corrosion, effectively all the plumbing above the whirlpool was replaced and the cedar ceiling reconstructed.

It was also noted further, unanticipated, electrical and mechanical repairs are expected during phase 2 (men's change room) and phase 3 (family change room).