It’s the first time in over two decades that the man-made lake at the centre of Hawrelak Park will be empty, as work began to upgrade the lake before the park is put on display for the world to see in an international athletics competition.
The International Triathlon Grand Final will be held in Edmonton in September 2014, in Hawrelak Park.
Before that, upgrades and maintenance must be done on the lake in the park, to make it ready for the world-class competition.
Dennis Nolin with the City of Edmonton said the lake’s clay liner is leaking, and the drain valve is partially blocked – it was last cleaned out in 1990.
Plus, Nolin said, the lake’s depth doesn’t currently meet ITU standards.
“In order to host the event, we need to deepen the track for the swim course to 1.5 metre depth,” Nolin said.
So, on Friday, temporary fencing went up around the lake as crews began draining the lake – much of that water will go into the North Saskatchewan River.
“We’re hoping to start on Monday and to drain the lake we’re probably looking at a couple of weeks,” Nolin said.
As for skating on the lake in winter, officials hope to have the work completed and the lake refilled in time for skating, but a number of other spots in the park have been chosen as a sport for a temporary ice rink just in case.
With files from Susan Amerongen
