Stu Salkeld, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
East Central Alberta Review
With the sweltering heat of an Alberta summer settling over east central Alberta, many families may contemplate an easy, affordable and attractive solution: an “above ground” swimming pool.
While a permanent residential swimming pool may cost tens of thousands of dollars, an above-ground or portable pool may cost as little as $500. However, a concerned reader raised some valid points about such pools.
A concerned Big Valley reader sent the ECA Review an email pointing out that some above-ground pools could pose a hazard and asked their village to do something about it.
However, as village chief administrative officer (CAO) Colleen Mayne pointed out in a July 15 phone call, the village has no authority over temporary or above-ground pools.
Mayne noted a development permit is required for a permanent residential swimming pool, but a portable plastic pool is the responsibility of the owner.
The Town of Stettler has a similar approach. CAO Leann Graham stated in a July 15 email that provincial codes apply to those pools.
“The Town of Stettler does not regulate the use of above-ground pools nor do we issue development permits for such, but rather it is the landowner's obligation to ensure that they are compliant with the Alberta Building Code which does regulate above-ground pools,” she stated.
The Village of Clive acknowledged much the same information, according to CAO Carla Kenney.
“Clive doesn’t require development permits for above-ground swimming pools or hot tubs, however, building permits are required where the depths are greater than 24 inches,” stated Kenney in a July 12 email.
Safety Codes Council (SCC) advice reflects that pools should be secured or supervised.
“The entire area of an outdoor swimming pool shall be protected by a fence, building wall or enclosure that can prevent access by unauthorized persons and its height above the outside ground level shall not be less than 1.8 metres for private swimming pools,” stated SCC.
“Outdoor hot tubs that are greater than 24 inches in depth are also considered private swimming pools.
“The Alberta Building Code has specific safety requirements governing swimming pools and the placement of pools to protect you, and neighbouring children who may be tempted to use your pool without you knowing it.”
Stettler resident Cheryl Bowman raised kids and said children around a pool without supervision is a key issue here.
A mistake could result in tragedy.
“Before I had kids I did not understand how kids could drown when their parents were with them,” said Bowman on July 12.
“Why wasn't the parent watching their child? I didn't realize until I had children that it only takes seconds for kids to slip away. Raising two girls, I know how easy it is for a child to slip away even while you are paying attention.
“I was an overprotective parent and so my girls did not have a lot of free space or time, however, accidents can still happen. Now I understand when people say 'I just turned away for a second...'
“I remember one incident when my family, including my two small girls, were at a lake. We had picked a spot quite a ways away from the water's edge. I had just opened a lawn chair and looked around to find my three-year-old gone.
“I quickly spotted her, reaching down into the water from a grassy outcrop. She could have easily tipped over and would have slipped in the water and I would have never known where she had gone.”
Bowman pointed out that according to the Canadian Red Cross, about 15 per cent of child water deaths occur in backyard swimming pools, often due to a lack of proper fencing around the area.
Only 50 per cent of parents believe that pools require four sides of fencing to be considered child-safe. However, 70 per cent of swimming pool drownings happen in pools with a fence that is not up to safety standards or that do not have a fence at all.
A bit of fencing around an above-ground pool takes little time or money and could prevent an unbelievable tragedy.
“It is an awful feeling to look away for a moment and look back only to realize your child is gone,” said Bowman about her own close call.
“It was a sickening feeling and has stayed with me forever.”
