MOOSE JAW — City hall has advised users of the Kinsmen Sportsplex that it has detected cockroaches in the pool area and is taking measures to exterminate the bugs.
Derek Blais, director of community services, issued a letter on Jan. 29 addressing the issue. He wrote that the City of Moose Jaw was committed to providing “safe, clean and welcoming recreational facilities” for residents, but that venue staff had spotted cockroaches in various locations near the pool.
The director noted that city hall had taken steps to address the issue, including:
- Consulting with public health and hosting a site visit to ensure adherence to best practices for sanitation and pest control;
- Engaging a local pest control company to carry out fumigation treatments in the affected areas; and
- Collaborating with building staff and the concession contractor to ensure thorough cleaning of all affected areas.
“While sightings have been isolated, we continue to work closely with pest control professionals to carry out treatments following any reported sighting,” Blais said.
“We kindly ask that any sighting be reported to the front desk staff so that prompt action can be taken,” he continued. “To date, there is no evidence of an infestation and we remain committed to closely monitoring and addressing any further occurrences.”
Blais added that city hall was working to resolve this matter and it would continue to collaborate with public health and pest control professionals to monitor and manage the situation while maintaining its “rigorous cleaning protocols” to ensure the venue remained safe and enjoyable for everyone.
A user of the venue shared a video with the Moose Jaw Express/MooseJawToday.com of a cockroach in or near the pool area. The user recorded the video on her cellphone while swimming there a few weeks ago.
Meanwhile, based on a complaint, the Saskatchewan Health Authority inspected the Kinsmen Sportsplex on Dec. 17, 2024, and allegedly found the concession area to be in non-compliance with public health rules. Further, the venue had allegedly failed to maintain the area, which supposedly harboured cockroaches.
However, a follow-up on Jan. 28, 2025, found no infractions.
The city has not provided an estimated time when it expects to eliminate the cockroaches.
The Moose Jaw Express/MooseJawToday.com reached out to city hall to comment on the SHA inspections but has not received a response as of publication time.
