The public art installation at the West Vancouver Aquatic Centre has been restored after years of wear and tear.
AquaScapes, created by North Shore artist Sylvia Tait and featured as part of the sunshades, was installed when the centre opened in 2004. The art was digitally printed on the shades which are raised and lowered to control lighting inside the facility along the southeast glass wall.
Over the years, the art had begun to deteriorate with the constant use of the sunshades.
Donna Powers, district spokeswoman, said the edges had become frayed and there were a few rips and tears.
"There was also some discolouration and fading due to the fact that it's in a swimming pool environment, so there's high humidity," said Powers, as well as the intense UV rays.
District council approved a budget for the restoration at the beginning of 2013.
"Once the budget was approved they had a consultation with the art community and with the artist as to what they would like to do, what art piece they wanted," said Powers. "It was decided that they basically wanted to reproduce the original art."
Reproducing the art cost more than $56,000, including the blinds and the cost of the large-scale format printing, which was done in Toronto, said Powers, a process that took about six weeks.
But with advances in large format digital printing and using a more durable material the restoration was a success.
"It's better than the first one," said Tait.
The refurbished art was installed at the beginning of September when the Aquatic Centre was temporarily shut down for maintenance.
