Training in Calgary interrupted as critical water pipe break leads to closure of numerous swimming pools

Swimming clubs in Calgary have received word that all of the city’s pools will remain closed indefinitely following a critical water main break on Wednesday evening.

The water main burst occurred in the northwest Calgary neighbourhood of Bowness and led to city-wide restrictions and a boil water advisory for the area.

On Wednesday evening, June 5, a major water main burst in Bowness.

As a precautionary measure, Alberta Health Services (AHS) has instructed the City of Calgary to issue a boil water advisory in the community of Bowness, effective immediately.

1/4 pic.twitter.com/qVjyFxxdpE

— City of Calgary (@cityofcalgary) June 6, 2024

City officials have said it may take days for things to return to normal. Swim clubs have been told that all pools will be closed Friday and at least the University of Calgary Aquatic Centre (where the University of Calgary Swim Club trains) will be closed until Saturday. There will be an update on Sunday.

Emergency crews told me the pipe that burst was a 78-inch-thick water main that had been in service since 1975.

Below you can see broken pieces of water main that had to be picked up all over Highway 1. #yyc @CTVCalgary pic.twitter.com/11e3ezC0jg

— Jordan Kanygin (@CTVJKanygin) June 6, 2024

An extension of the closures would impact the training of three Canadians travelling to the Olympic Games in Paris: Yuri Kisil, Ingrid Wilm And Rebecca Smithwho all train at the Cascade Swim Club at the MNP Community and Sport Centre. There are also four UCSC swimmers and one other from Cascade who will be competing in the Junior Pan Pacific Championships in August.

However, the Killarney Swim Club is hosting a meet – the KSC Invitational – at the YMCA in Seton this weekend and has received a special permit to continue. However, the club notes that the city could override Seton’s decision and cancel the meet scheduled for June 7-9.

On Friday morning, the city announced that residents were not complying with restrictions and that there was a risk that the current water supply could dry up.

“If Calgarians do not reduce their water usage, we are at risk of running out of water,” the city said in a statement. “The City is asking Calgarians to conserve water over the next few days while work is being completed.”