Brandson Park History
As part of the Brandson Park renewal project in 2024, the City worked with historian Greg Nesteroff and Castlegar community members to develop this history of Brandson Park.
Corporate Services
1940
April 1949: Castlegar Project Society forms
At the first meeting, “a suggestion of a swimming pool was looked upon with favor, but it was not considered practical with the present water supply.” An ice arena is later chosen as the focus of the group’s efforts.
1950
May 1955: Kinnaird Athletic Association begins canvassing for a swimming pool
A committee headed by E.M. Pierpoint is appointed to investigate construction, location, and costs, but makes little headway.
July 15, 1958: Bob Brandson drowns in Columbia River
Well-known Kinnaird resident Bob Brandson, 21, drowns in the Columbia River while swimming across to Zuckerberg Island with friend Andy Evans. The 1955 Stanley Humphries grad worked for Cominco before starting his own business, B and B Electronics. He is survived by his parents, Matt and Margarete, and two brothers. The Brandson family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made toward a swimming pool fund, to which they donate $500.
August 1958: Swimming pool committee is formed
Consisting of E.M. Pierpoint, A.G. Eldridge, Ed McGauley, Colin S. McKenzie and James M. Macbeth. An early meeting hears “an adequate central location for further expansion has been offered at no cost.”
1958-59: Fundraising campaign raises $6,500
With the help of about 30 volunteer canvassers, the fundraising campaign raises another $2,741 in 1958 and $3,473 in 1959 for a total of $6,214 plus further pledges eventually totalling $6,500.
December 15, 1959: First meeting of the Kinnaird Swimming Pool Society, incorporated under Society Act of BC
Held with Carl Loeblich acting chair and Helen Verzuh, acting secretary. Directors elected at the meeting are Alex Gray, Colin S. McKenzie, Ed McGauley, Monty Warner, Sam Muirhead, Bill Cheveldave, and Barney Brown. Later members include A.H. Culley, E. Mills, Pat Haley, B. Rourke, R. Wadey, and foreman Ed Kulcheski.
1960
Village of Kinnaird donates a site for the pool at the lower end of what is then Milestone Road, opposite the hall, and later renumbered 2404 6th Ave
Plans drawn by Cominco design engineer Gwilym Hughes call for the outdoor pool to be 30ft wide by 90ft long, later reduced to 30ft by 75ft. The cost is estimated at $18,500 to cover the pool, piping, pumphouse, filter, and chlorination equipment plus a further $10,000 for a bathhouse/change rooms.
June 1960: New residential pool is used as venue for swimming lessons
Evelyn and John Clarke build a pool at their home at 750 10th Avenue in Castlegar. The Red Cross approaches them about using it at a venue for swimming lessons, which are provided there for the next 42 years.
July 1960 Construction underway at Kinnaird Pool
The society depends on volunteer labour and donations of money and materials. Celgar provides the valves, H.B. Hayes loans a bulldozer, and Gilpin-Kaiser provides building material. The pool is intended to provide a safe place for children and non-swimmers, highlighted by the drowning of 11-year-old Richard Horlick at Pass Creek earlier in the month.
October 1960: Reinforced concrete shell is constructed
Using the Brandson memorial fund, a reinforced concrete shell for the pool is constructed at a cost of $6,500. However, a call goes out for more labour and financial support. Auctions, bingos, dances, and theatre productions all benefit the effort. Reportedly five families, including Bill and Lola Cheveldave, take out second mortgages of $5,000 each to further advance the project.
July 1961: Lack of funds delays pool construction
Cominco declines to fund the project, delaying the pool’s completion by a year.
August 1962: Kinnaird Pool opens
The first Red Cross swimming lessons and water safety classes are offered.
May 1963: The Kinnaird Swimming Pool Society turns the pool’s operation over to the Village of Kinnaird. The society leaves the village with a deficit of $400 and a list of repairs and tasks. Ed McGauley makes this statement on behalf of the society:
A great deal of time and effort has been expended in the construction of the pool and it is felt that it is too much of a job for volunteer labour to continue to operate the pool. Certain recognition should be given to individuals who made such a great contribution towards the construction of the pool. In particular, Gwilym Hughes should be mentioned for the great number of hours he gave toward the designing and supervision of the pool. Pat Haley should be recognized for his contribution toward the engineering of the pool and Sam Muirhead must be recognized for his energy and enthusiasm in heading up the actual construction. In addition, our society is grateful to Edgar Kulcheski for the interest and pride which he took with construction of the pool and for the many hours he devoted without pay toward its construction.
August 1963: Pool cost $22,776 to build, valued at $35,000
Grants and donations to the pool over the previous five years total $23,000, including $2,500 from the village, $2,765 from other levels of governments, and $400 from the Kinnaird Athletic Association. The rest is from private donations. In all, the pool cost $22,776 to build but was valued at $35,000 at the time of transfer to the village.
1967: Kinnaird Aquanauts are founded
Brandson named their home pool. Andre Lamarche is
the first president with 30 registered swimmers. The club raises funds for lane ropes, stop watches, starter pistols, and starting blocks. The first club swim meet is held on August 17 and participates in swim meets at Trail, Warfield, Nelson, and Kimberley.
August 1967: Facility is officially named the Bob Brandson Memorial Pool
Temporary change rooms donated by Celgar are replaced by a concrete block building erected as a Canadian centennial project. They are dedicated at the same ceremony where the letters patent is presented promoting Kinnaird from a village to a town. At this time, the facility is officially named the Bob Brandson Memorial Pool.
1967-71: Pool grounds are extended
A wading pool and playground are constructed.
1969: First full-time coach
Denis Harrigan becomes the first full-time coach of the Aquanauts and spends five years with the club.
1970
Annual memorial trophy presented in honour of Bob Brandson
Bob Brandson’s mother presents a trophy to the Aquanauts member who earns the most points during the season’s competition. From 1975 to 1979, brothers Josef and Michael Berger win the award a combined five times.
June 1980: Aquanauts’ Cheryl Kristiansen wins gold at Holland Paralympic Games
Kristansen, 16, wins four gold medals at the Paralympics in Holland, in the 4×100 women’s relay, breaststroke, butterfly, and 200m individual medley. She sets records in the latter two categories and comes within five seconds of a record in the 400-meter freestyle.
1980
June 1980: Aquanauts largest swim club
With 130 swimmers or more, the Aquanauts are the largest and strongest swim club in the Kootenays, despite having the smallest pool.
July 22 and 23, 1989: Final Swim meet at Brandson Pool
The Castlegar Aquanauts hold their final swim meet at Brandson Pool.
1990
1990: New Aquatic Centre opens and Brandson Pool is filled in
Following the opening of the Castlegar and District Aquatic Centre, the pool is closed and filled in, although Brandson Park remains on the site with a playground and picnic tables.
2020
2022: City sells site
Amid much controversy, the City of Castlegar sells a portion of the site of Brandson Park for a housing development.
2024: Public consultation begins for park renewal
The City begins public consultation for a “reconceptualized” Brandson Park on the same site, next to the housing development.
Anything more to share?
If you have feedback, or anything to add to the history of Brandson Park, you can reach out to the project team using the contact information at the top of the page.
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