Family of Sherbrook Pool architect want building saved

Winnipeg’s Sherbrook Pool has been closed for months, after structural problems were revealed during a city inspection in November 2012.

Now, the family of the man who designed the building is joining a chorus of voices that want the pool restored and maintained.

Ralph Pratt’s grandfather, R.B. Pratt, designed the structure that has been standing in Winnipeg for 82 years.

At the time, it was Winnipeg’s first Olympic-sized pool.

"We’re not going to get buildings like this ever again," said Pratt. "We should hold on to them. I understand this is only one or two of that style of architecture that is left in Winnipeg."

Marianne Cerilli heads a group dedicated to saving the pool.

She said the group, Friends of Sherbrook Pool, has been working to raise the profile of the facility.

"We don’t want the city to just see it as an expense on a budget sheet. There’s lots of benefit to having the facility there and the pool open," said Cerilli.

Pratt said he’s grateful for the group’s efforts.

"It does my heart good when people try to preserve something that is connected to my name. I don’t believe it’s ready to come down," said Pratt.

After the association and many others spoke out about wanting the pool reopened, Mayor Sam Katz committed $200,000 to the project.

However, a structural assessment has yet to determine if restoring the building is even possible. 

City officials said they are still waiting on that report to determine what can be done to make the building safe and how much it will run tax-payers.

Pratt said his grandfather designed the facility to last. He added, "I think we should hang on to it."

Friends of Sherbrook Pool hopes to tour the building with city staff later this week to get a first-hand look at what needs to be repaired.