The city is being forced to spend another $200,000 on the Cornwall Aquatic Centre to replace a leaky roof.
The roof has been leaking since some ice fell on to a section of the flat structure, and caused some significant damage.
"The biggest issue at the aquatic centre is the design of the structure," said parks and recreation manager Christine Lefebvre. "We believe that ice fell off the aquatic roof and pierced the membrane."
The particular area of the roof that was damaged was a flat section.
Lefebvre said water was found, and inspectors used an infrared camera to determine the exact location of the leak.
"Once it starts to leak inside the insulation it's just seeps like a sponge," she said.
Some city councillors were frustrated with the fact serious money is being shelled out for a facility that opened a little more than seven years ago.
"We should be qualifying these designers that are coming in and costing us all kinds of money," said Coun. Gerry Samson.
Rounthwaite, Dick and Hadley Architects of Toronto, in association with Shoalts & Zaback Architects of Kingston, were awarded the commission for the design, documentation and contract administration of the aquatic centre.
Coun. Glen Grant expressed concern that flat roofs have inherent liabilities, and perhaps something could be done with the design of the aquatic centre to prevent similar problems in the future.
Budget committee chair Denis Carr told Seaway News he is unsure if the city has any recourse with the designers, but more information is expected to be provided to councillors in the days ahead.
He was also quick to defend the design work done by the architects in the past, and pointed to the fact the same firm designed both the Cornwall Public Library and Cornwall Curling Centre "and we've had nothing but rave reviews."
Coun. David Murphy expressed frustration with the situation the city finds itself in.
"It's sad to say, but it's a lesson learned," he said. "Now you have to ask these types of questions, because you don't want to be in this kind of situation again."
