Pool in Ross River, Yukon, won't re-open again this year, 7 years after closure

The community pool in Ross River, Yukon, will remain closed for another summer.

The facility has sat empty and unused since 2018, and was officially condemned after an assessment was done in 2023.

In August 2024, the Yukon Government's department of Highways and Public Works conducted a detailed structural and geotechnical investigation of the indoor pool. The investigation aimed to explore options to repair the facility.

In February, a final report confirmed there were severe foundational and structural issues, due to uneven settling in the facility's foundations and permafrost degradation. As a result of the findings, it was decided the pool would remain closed for another year.

That's unwelcome news for many Ross River residents, including Ross River Dena Council Chief Dylan Loblaw. He said the information that has come out of the latest assessment isn't anything different than previous reports. He wants to know when something will actually be done to fix the issues.

"It's pretty frustrating when resources are being spent the way they are when they could be used more meaningfully," he said.

"We have a building sitting there and it's not been in use for years now — so we'd like to see a plan come out of these reports and these assessments."

In an email to CBC News, Yukon Government spokesperson Antoine Goulet said the territory is looking at other options for aquatic programming this summer.

"Plans include a water safety-focused swim clinic at Jackfish Lake and collaboration with the Town of Faro to provide access to their municipal pool."

Faro is almost an hour's drive away from Ross River. 

Loblaw said fixing or replacing the infrastructure in Ross River would make things much easier for families as some are unable to travel that distance just for a few hours in a swimming pool.

"If the facility was working like it's supposed, to youth and a lot of young children would be able to enjoy that pool," Loblaw said. "Along with the parents taking their children to the pool. So it would be meaningful for the community to have."

Yukon Party MLA for Pelly-Nisutlin, Stacey Hassard, said it's time for the government to honour its commitment to the citizens living in Ross River.

"The minister [of community services] committed to working with the community, as he did last year," Hassard said. "So my question to him was, when will you go to the community and meet with them about providing options? Or providing another building?" Hassard said.

Hassard said the issue has been "very difficult" to navigate as he, along with Ross River residents, express the need for the facility, and yet nothing seems to get done aside from more assessments.

"It's very unfortunate," Hassard said. "And unfortunately the youth in Ross River are the ones that pay for the neglect of the government."