Council received an update on the progress of the Aquatic Centre renovation that has been underway since January.
The report to council provides a summary of completed construction work and work in progress. This comprehensive and complex project is well underway and will be completed on time and on budget.
Background:
The total project cost is $37 million. This project was approved by Council on April 9, 2024. The
project got underway in fall of 2025, and the pool was closed as of January 1, 2026.
The Aquatic Centre is nearing its 30th anniversary which means it needs significant infrastructure upgrades to ensure it’s in great shape for years to come. The pool has entered the infrastructure replacement phase which is the normal life cycle for all civic facilities. Throughout each year and especially during the regular annual shutdowns, the pool undergoes
regular maintenance and capital upgrades. The City has completed a wide variety of capital replacement items at the Aquatic Centre, totaling close to $3 million since 2010. Over and above these projects, approximately 10% of the pool’s operating budget is spent on regular maintenance annually.
This current project isn’t due to a lack of maintenance, it simply comes down to the age of the building. The building systems (foundation, superstructure, exterior enclosure, roofing, interior construction, stairs, interior finishes, conveying, plumbing, HVAC, fire protection, and electrical, etc.) are harder and more expensive to maintain than items like pool and exercise equipment and take more time to repair and/or replace. That is why this work is taking place all at once to extend the life
of the building for many years to come.
Demolition and construction to date:
In addition to all information outlined in previous ‘update reports’, here is the latest summary of
construction works currently complete or in progress:
Interior demolition:
o Floor/wall prep for change rooms/washrooms/hot tub/pool deck for new tile
o Removal of epoxy flooring and prep for new floor finishes
o Water feature demolition in leisure pool
o Removal of branches and coatings in leisure pool area
o Removal of epoxy from dive stair tower
o Removal of both bulkheads from competition pool
o Ceiling removal in universal change rooms 5 & 6
o Natatorium sound baffle removal
Exterior demolition:
o Removal and scraping of all peel and stick membranes
o EIFS removal
o Removal of roof parapets
o Roofing demolition and deck repair
o Roof vapour barrier install (partial)
o Footing damproofing
o CMU crack sealing and flashing
o CMU membrane, clip and insulation installation
Mock ups:
o Paint mock up in natatorium, change room and restrooms
o Vapour barrier – walls
Mechanical and electrical:
o Mechanical room – Air handler demolition (unit 2)
o Removal of underwater pool lights
o Removal of valence
o Electrical demo to facilitate steel stud removal around louvers
o Incoming water service demolition
Site and safety:
o Shoring installation for pool deck and surge tanks
Upcoming work includes:
o Detailed grout removal in competition pool
o Concrete reinstatement at structural columns
o Roofing demo
o Incoming water service replacement
o Continued electrical demolition
o Continued mechanical demolition
o Continued scaffolding and shrink wrap installation
o Continued water feature demolition
o Steel stud removal ongoing
Summary and conclusion:
This comprehensive and complex project is well underway and will be completed on time and on
budget. Further updates will be provided throughout the project. Administration is coordinating a
site tour for Council in the upcoming months