City wants design for south Winnipeg pool that could be decade away

The design for a new aquatic facility in south Winnipeg is coming but it’s not clear when residents could actually dive in to a new facility.

The city is seeking a company to design an indoor amenity with a preliminary price of $55 million, as a second phase of the South Winnipeg Recreation Centre. Phase 1 construction of the centre will begin this spring.

Coun. Janice Lukes said there is great demand for the facility in her Waverley West ward, which currently lacks a city pool.

“People have to remember that this development, Waverley West, is bigger than Brandon. Our last population estimate was around 71,000 people and… this is a regional campus… so we’re encompassing an even larger area of people that (will use this) service,” said Lukes.

The councillor said funds to actually build the aquatic facility aren’t in place, though, so construction could still be a decade away.

“It’s totally based on budgets. If one were to be optimistic, it’ll take about 1.5 years to design… and then it takes a while to get the tender out. I don’t think I’m going to find $40 million to $60 million in the next year-and-a-half,” said Lukes.

She noted part of the design process will be to fine-tune the cost estimate for the project.

Initial city plans call for a 38,000-square-foot facility, with a six- or eight-lane lap pool, a leisure pool, change rooms and program space. Water slides, spray features, a lazy river, whirlpool/hot tub and steam room are also among the proposed features.

That would add to the 59,000-square-foot recreation centre and a 20,000-square-foot child-care centre, which are expected to open in spring 2028.

The city set aside $1.3 million for a contractor to design the aquatic area, complete public consultation and ensure the facility is energy efficient.

When asked if the cash-strapped city can afford the new aquatics centre, Mayor Scott Gillingham said the project is worth considering.

“These are the kind of infrastructure developments we need as a growing city. As the city grows, so… do the demands for city services, including aquatics in the south end,” said Gillingham.

However, one councillor said it may not be Waverley West’s turn for more major recreation investments.

Coun. Brian Mayes (St. Vital) noted the city already approved the $126-million first phase of the South Winnipeg Recreation Campus, with senior government support.

“Let’s have a little more even-handedness with the recreation funding, because there’s growth in the southwest but there’s also growth in the southeast,” said Mayes.

He hopes the roughly $13-million first phase of a Bonavista Recreation Centre is funded soon, noting it would be about one-tenth the size of the facility in Waverley West.

Lukes said all projects will be considered, though she stressed this one is important for Waverley West.

“We’re a province of 100,000 lakes… It’s important all people know how to swim,” she said.

She noted all city infrastructure must compete for a limited amount of funding.

“It all has to fit into the bigger picture… of infrastructure needs of the city,” she said.

The city hopes to have the design completed by June 2027.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

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