Pool reopening marks significant investment

St. Boniface

After being closed for extensive renovations, the Bonivital Pool, located at 1215 Archibald St., reopened to the public on Monday, Nov. 17.

There were two phases to renovations, and this was the second time since 2019 that the pool was closed. The first phase called for immediate, crucial repairs, and the just-completed second phase has made the facility accessible to all. Over $1 million was invested in the first phase, and $9.88 million in the second. In total, more than $10 million was invested in the last six years, marking a strong commitment to aquatic and recreation services in the St. Boniface ward and contributing to the overall health of the community. These investments will ensure the operation of the pool for decades to come.

On Nov. 19, I was pleased to join Mayor Scott Gillingham and Coun. Vivian Santos (Point Douglas), who sits on council’s executive policy committee as chair of the community services committee, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the pool’s reopening.

The City of Winnipeg contributed $5.36 million toward this project. At the ceremony, we also recognized the Province of Manitoba’s $4.52 million contribution from the Arts, Culture and Sport in Community fund.

St. Boniface residents have spoken loud and clear about the need for investment in aquatic services in the community. The Windsor Park pool had been slated to close permanently at the end of this summer but now, in addition to the Bonivital renovations, there is also money in the budget for the Windsor Park pool to stay open for the summers of 2026 and 2027, as long as its structure and mechanical systems remain sound.

The upgrades to Bonivital include a revamped front lobby; new, more accessible universal and gendered change rooms; and a new multi-purpose room on the pool deck. A new, accessible sauna will also open soon. Behind the scenes, the facility boasts upgraded lighting, fire alarms, and completely renewed HVAC and water heating systems.

The pool sits on the same campus as the Windsor Park Library which moved to a newly-built location in 2018 from its former site on Autumnwood Drive. (The Autumnwood site is now the home of the expanded Winnipeg Fire-Paramedic Services Station which opened this May, another example of investment in the health of the community.)

I see the pairing of the library and the pool on the Archibald campus as representative of a place residents can use for mind and body.

I feel a personal connection to the Bonivital Pool, as I earned my bronze medallion there in my youth, and children and families continue to swim at the pool. Bonivital has already served our community for five decades and I am happy to say that it will continue to serve the community in the decades to come.