Construction has started on a new modern aquatics facility in downtown Prince George, B.C., expected to open in 2022.
Site preparation and excavation began earlier this month on the new pool, which will be 3588 m2 (38,602 sf) and located on 7th Avenue, between Dominion and Quebec Streets. HDR Architecture and Chandos Construction are leading the design and construction process.
“As a swimmer and lover of aquatic sports, I am excited to see this project get underway. This facility will benefit the entire Prince George community, giving people of all ages and different mobility a place to have fun, exercise, and develop an important life skill,” said Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities.
“Council is very pleased and excited to see construction starting on this new downtown landmark. Together with the architect, city staff used input from user groups to create a modern, energy-efficient, and accessible facility, which will help the city to serve the aquatics needs of residents for years to come,” says Prince George Mayor Lyn Hall. “Council is extremely grateful to the federal and provincial governments as well as the regional district for the significant investments they have made along with the City of Prince George toward this project.”
The new pool will feature aquatic activities available for all ages and abilities, as well as the following amenities;
- A six lane, 25 m lap pool;
- A four lane, 25 m teaching pool with warmer water and shallow depth;
- A leisure pool with a lazy river, beach entry, and play features;
- A large waterslide with a run-off lane;
- Dedicated male and female change rooms, as well as a large universal change room;
- Sauna and steam room; and
- Rooms for lessons and training.
The project is budgeted to cost $42 million, consisting of $35 million for the pool design and construction, as well as $7 million for the acquisition of the site and demolition operations. The federal and provincial governments are providing $10 million in funding support from the Community, Culture, and Recreation Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Plan.
According to officials, it is the largest federal and provincial investment in Prince George infrastructure in about a decade.
The entire facility has been designed with a particular eye for safety and accessibly. For example, the pool tanks will feature shallow entries and ‘pool pods’ to provide people with mobility devices to enter. The facility will also have improved lines of sight for lifeguards to increase safety for patrons and the change rooms will open onto the shallowest ends of the pools to decrease the likelihood of falls into deep water.
The new pool will be connected to the City’s Downtown Renewable Energy System (DRES), which provides heat sourced from wood waste at Lakeland Mills. Modelling conducted as part of the planning for the new pool indicates that being connected to the DRES will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 95 per cent compared to if the pool was heated with natural gas.
