Crofton pool renos come in $356K under budget

Crofton Pool assessment comes back with clean bill of health

Crofton pool renos come in $356K under budget Published 5:45 am Wednesday, July 15, 2026 North Cowichan has freed up more than $356,000 budgeted for potential upgrades to the Crofton Outdoor Pool after an engineering assessment found the facility’s mechanical and underground piping system are in excellent condition. The funding was approved in the 2025 capital budget after the pool experienced circulation issues during the 2024 season. An initial engineering review suggested undersized underground piping could require replacement at an estimated cost of $360,000.

However, further investigation found the pool’s actual water volume — and the circulation rate required to operate it safely — was lower than previously documented. Once the system was adjusted to match the updated requirements, it performed reliably through the 2025 season. Subsequent testing confirmed the underground PVC piping remains in excellent condition and is expected to last approximately another 30 years, eliminating the need for a major replacement.

Council unanimously approved staff’s recommendation to return the remaining capital budget to unappropriated surplus. Coun. Bruce Findlay welcomed the results, saying he had been following the project closely to ensure the pool would be ready for the 2026 season.

“This is great news that the system is working well and in excellent condition,” Findlay said. “I’m really glad we’re able to reallocate those funds back to unappropriated surplus.” Staff also reported the pool was recently given a clean bill of health from Vancouver Island Health Authority inspectors for its water circulation system ahead of its June 29 opening.

Some councillors suggested placing the remaining funds into reserve accounts for future capital projects, including the Crofton pool, fire trucks and derelict vessel work. Staff recommended returning the money to unappropriated surplus for now, noting the pool could still require unexpected repairs before the end of the season.