Chandos delivered the replacement of the Bella Coola Centennial Pool, a recreation facility serving one of British Columbia’s most remote communities.
The project included demolition of the existing 1967-era pool and the construction of a new lap pool and mechanical room. Access constraints and limited material availability required an alternative construction approach to reduce risk and improve constructability.
Bella Coola is located at the head of a coastal fjord on BC’s Central Coast and is accessible only by long road routes, ferry connections, or small aircraft. Local supply constraints made traditional cast-in-place concrete pool construction challenging from both a scheduling and logistics perspective.
Working collaboratively with Carscadden Architecture, who had previously delivered a stainless-steel pool, the project team transitioned the pool structure from concrete to a prefabricated stainless-steel system. The modular pool, manufactured by Berndorf Baderbau in Czechia, was shipped in sea containers and assembled on site, reducing on-site construction duration and exposure to weather-related delays. The stainless-steel construction eliminated permeability concerns associated with concrete basins, improving durability, and reducing long-term maintenance requirements. Further, the alternate system aligned the concrete needs with local supply, allowing the team to maximize local engagement.
The alternate system also delivered measurable sustainability benefits. Compared to a conventional cast-in-place concrete pool, the stainless-steel basin achieved a 68% reduction in embodied CO₂e and avoided more than 20,000 litres of diesel that would otherwise have been required for winter heating and hoarding.
Logistics planning was critical to successful delivery. Due to the project’s remoteness, work sequencing and equipment mobilization required lead times of up to 14–21 days. Chandos coordinated procurement, shipping, and construction activities in close collaboration with trade partners and in-house technical teams.
Maximizing local economic participation was a key objective. All the concrete was procured through a local Nuxalk Nation supplier, and local framers, concrete placers, and general labour were engaged throughout construction.
Completed in 2025, one month ahead of the scheduled duration, the Bella Coola Centennial Pool provides a durable, low-maintenance facility that will support swimming lessons, lifeguard training, and recreational use for years to come.
