Council looking at rebuilding Wascana Pool, shutting down Maple Leaf Pool next year

Redeveloping Wascana Pool and permanently closing Maple Leaf Pool are two of the ideas in the City of Regina’s proposed 2019 operating budget.

The two oldest pools in Regina would be replaced by a new “outdoor destination aquatic facility” in Wascana Centre, pending city council’s approval and community consultations.

The 2019 proposed budget suggests $1.5 million to design the Wascana Pool rebuild. A further $15 million would be earmarked in the 2020 and 2021 budgets for construction.

Wascana Pool is 71 years old. Maple Leaf Pool, in the Heritage neighbourhood, is a year older.

Both have exceeded their lifespan, according to city manager Chris Holden.

“We have pools that are extended well beyond their life cycle. This starts a conversation in the community about rebuilding a destination facility in Wascana Park to replace the existing Wascana Pool,” Holden said.

Dewdney, Massey and Regent pools are “at least another 10 years out before we start to run into some challenges around structure.”

Barry Lacey, executive director finance and corporate services, said the water park would be financed through debt.

Should city council approve this plan at its Dec. 10 meeting, Wascana Pool would be open for summer 2019, then closed for construction in 2020. On schedule, it would reopen in summer 2021.

In 2017, Wascana saw an average daily attendance of 273 patrons.

Maple Leaf Pool will not reopen in summer 2019.

This is grim news for the Heritage Community Association, which learned Thursday that a summertime neighbourhood hub would be closed forever.

“I’m sad that the pool had to close. It’s been a long time coming, though, also,” said Shayna Stock, Heritage executive director. “They ’ve been trying to close it for many, many years. I feel frustrated that the work hasn’t been done to maintain it so that it’s gotten to a point of being unsafe for youths.

“I think it’s going to be really hard to meet all of the needs that are filled by a community pool,” added Stock.

Maple Leaf is “busy from open to close all summer long,” frequented by families, seniors and children. According to the city, the average daily attendance in 2017 was 134 patrons.

The funding directed to Maple Leaf Pool will be redirected to recreational programs, in consultation with the Heritage Community Association. Holden said that could include a city-run Play Escapes program during the summer.

He also said the city would look at providing transit for people in the Heritage community to access Wascana Pool.

“I think a lot of parents will not feel comfortable just sending their kids on a bus rather than walking across the park to go into the pool,” said Stock.

She said the Heritage community board of directors would be discussing the pool’s closure at its Monday meeting.

“My impression from talking to city staff is that it’s kind of beyond discussion at this point, that it’s been a decision that was made by facilities for the safety of the community,” said Stock.

People are going to other communities, they’re seeing (what exists) and they’re expecting that from their home city.

“We’ll have to see at the board level whether we want to try and convince them to keep it for one more year while we figure out what’s next, or just work with (the city) to try and find some programming ... and other services that meet some of those needs that were filled by the pool.”

The Maple Leaf site will be redeveloped as a recreational space, in consultation with the community. The city’s current Recreation Facility Plan suggests a “comprehensive spray pad.”

In early 2019, the city will begin community engagement on the design of the new Wascana pool

Holden said, in research for the upcoming recreation master plan, the city already has begun consultations.

“Really our current pools don’t meet what you would say are contemporary needs,” Holden said.

“We have a much more mobile population than ever. People are going to other communities, they’re seeing the type of amenities and support facilities that exist in some of their facilities, and they’re expecting that from their home city. So this is really something I think the community will look forward to.”

He said the new facility could include waterslides, play amenities, waterslides, zero-depth (sloped) entry, and room for laps, diving and competitive swimming.

Would it have a wave pool like the one at West Edmonton Mall?

“We’re not thinking that big,” Holden said. “But there are definitely elements that exist in the West Edmonton facility that could be incorporated in a design. … We’re going to try and maximize obviously what we can put in that space for the investment available to us.”

Unlike the Edmonton waterpark, this one will be outdoors.

“Outdoor pools tend not to recover their costs, but it’s more about the opportunity to experience a quality facility in a short season, which residents of Regina clearly demonstrate is important and valued by them,” Holden said.

“People just like the opportunity to get outside in the summer.” Mayor Michael Fougere agreed. This kind of infrastructure is “important for quality of life, so I think this is a huge priority for us.”