Friday, July 03, 2009

Chlorine Leak Results In Pool Closure

The Bear Creek Pool remains closed following a chlorine leak being detected this morning in the pool building. Grande Prairie Museum and Park Pavilion operations have returned to normal.

Repairs are under way in the pool building where a small amount of chlorine was detected.

Fire Department personnel entered the pool building at noon and shut off the valve on the chlorine tank. Subsequent monitoring for chlorine levels were negative in the tank room and a small amount was detected in the mechanical room. The area was ventilated and the air quality was checked before Fire personnel departed and barricades blocking traffic to the Pavilion and Museum were removed.

The immediate area was evacuated after the smell of chlorine was noted outside the pool building at about 9 a.m. and an alarm sounded warning that chlorine had been detected. About 15 children preparing to take lessons and pool staff as well as employees at the pavilion were evacuated to the stair area located by the tennis courts.

The chemical was contained to the pool building area and no injuries were reported. Readings for toxicity levels were taken in a 60-metre area around the building and no amount was detected in the immediate area.

The City’s Emergency Operations Centre was activated to co-ordinate response. The Fire Department responded with a command unit, the HazMat unit, a pump unit and 11 fire fighters. RCMP and Emergency Medical Services staff were also on site.