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EDMONTON -- "Horrible" conditions in the pool facilities of the west-end Mayfield Inn and Suites led to the hotel owners and three employees being fined more than $20,000 yesterday.
Silverbirch No. 3 Holdings Ltd. was dinged with an $18,515 penalty after pleading guilty in Edmonton's provincial court to 10 counts under the Public Health Act.
The counts include violations for having unacceptable pH levels in the pool and steam room, unsanitary walls in the steam room, dirt and debris in the pool basin, improper gauges, missing safety guards and water leakage.
Tim Ostrem, the former general manager at the Mayfield, was penalized $1,897 after pleading guilty to one count for allowing the hotel's swimming pool, whirlpool, steam room and sauna to be operated by unqualified personnel.
Ramji Hirani, the hotel's maintenance supervisor and pool operator, was ordered to pay a $1,725 penalty after pleading guilty to a nuisance count for allowing improper chlorine levels to be present in the pool and whirlpool.
Jennifer Gaze, the hotel's athletic club manager, was penalized $1,150 after pleading guilty to one count relating to mould being found on the floor of the steam room.
Court heard the Mayfield's problems with Alberta Health Services began in January 2008 when the whirlpool at the 16615 109 Ave. hotel was found with unsatisfactory bacteria levels, and the pool facility was then investigated.
Over the next 18 months, inspectors dealt with various problems with conditions in the facility, and several closure orders were issued and rescinded during that time.
Prosecutor Rob O'Neill told court the hotel began seriously working towards compliance in January 2009 after an inspection found "horrible" conditions in the facility's swimming pool, whirlpool, ladies' sauna and steam room which resulted in an immediate closure order.
Court also heard a boy who had stayed at the Mayfield for a week in February developed an ear infection and his doctor suspected it was due to a bacteria known as Pseudomonas. Samples from the hotel's whirlpool from the time in question tested positive for the bacteria.
Rob James, a lawyer representing Silver Birch, told court the hotel fully accepts responsibility for what happened.
James said it was not a "conscious" ignoring of health orders, but rather a "breakdown" in operating procedures in a place with a large number of staff.
He added that new protocols have been put in place with increased staff training and certification, the facility has been upgraded and an aquatic firm was brought in to help.
James promised the situation will not happen again.
TONY.BLAIS@SUNMEDIA.CA