Town opts for $23K floor solution

Kevin Hampson Mayerthorpe Freelancer

Councillors have decided to spend $23,000 of town funds to install an anti-slip coating on the flooring of the Mayerthorpe Aquatic Centredespite assurances from Alberta Health Services that floor matting would have been acceptable.

Town administration last week recommended that councillors approve the installation of a product called Silikal on top of 1,200 square feet of the facilitys flooring.

The money will come out of the towns $107,000 recreation reserve. Councillors approved the recommendation, pending the successful application of the product on a test area in the family change room.

We are a public facility and there are certain standards that have to be followed, Mayor Kate Patrick said, referring to safety concerns about the slippery floors and hygiene issues related to the use of matting.

Since the pool opened in the summer of 2013, there have been two slips and falls in the facility and, according to administration, a perception has arisen that the flooring is unusually slippery.

The first fall occurred within 30 minutes of the pools grand opening; a patron fell in the shower room and required medical attention. An inspection from the towns insurance adjuster found no fault on the part of the town. Another patron fell last summer, despite anti-slip strips on the floors and extra caution signs that had been put in place after the initial fall.

Administration recommended the costly anti-slip coating in January, but Coun. Glen Wilcox suggested it may have been more high-tech than was necessary. The councillors directed administration to look into the matting commonly used in pool facilities.

That option would cost taxpayers roughly $7,000, though the matting would eventually have to be replaced.

Administration consulted other facilities that use matting, as well as Alberta Health Services (AHS).

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Town opts for $23K floor solution