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Eleven children were taken to hospital Sunday morning after becoming ill at the pool at the Canmore Inn and Suites, according to Emergency Health Services.
The Town of Canmore said Canmore Fire-Rescue received a hazmat call at 10:44 a.m.
When crews arrived, they found about 30 children in the pool area showing symptoms of illness, including vomiting.
Firefighters suspected chemical exposure and cleared the pool area.
Fire crews tested the air and found elevated levels of a hazardous substance.
Based on the location and the symptoms, the town said crews suspected chlorine was the cause.
EHS said nine children were assessed at the scene and taken to Canmore General Hospital by their parents, while one child was transported there by ambulance.
In total, 11 children were assessed at the hospital. Ten were in stable, non-life-threatening condition.
One child was later transferred to the Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary in serious but stable condition.
In a social media post Monday evening, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said, “My heart goes out to the children who became seriously ill at a Canmore hotel pool and to their families, who must be incredibly worried right now. I am thinking of them and hoping for their full recovery.”
The town said fire crews traced the problem to the pool and a mechanical room, cordoned off the area, and ventilated the space to clear the air.
Air testing showed the hotel was safe before crews left, according to the town.
The town also said the hotel called in an independent contractor, who found no immediate danger after ventilation of the pool area.
In a statement, the hotel said it takes this matter “extremely seriously.”
Hotel staff contacted emergency services and Alberta Health as soon as the incident became known Sunday, the hotel said, and it is fully co-operating with authorities on the matter.
“We understand how upsetting this situation has been and are committed to providing our full support to those impacted,” the hotel said.
It also said the licensed chemical management company that operates the pool is reviewing what happened.
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