Fredericton’s city council has decided to examine options for a new aquatics center this autumn while addressing age-related issues at two existing pools currently in use by the public. The council has authorized funding for renovations at the Fredericton Indoor Pool in the Nashwaaksis area and has agreed to share costs with the University of New Brunswick to enhance the Sir Max Aitken Pool.
According to Sara DeGrace, the city’s deputy chief administrative officer, the Sir Max Aitken Pool has surpassed its useful lifespan, the indoor pool requires significant renovation, and the pool at the Fredericton YMCA is operating at near-full capacity. These factors have led to a strain on Fredericton’s aquatic facilities.
In response to community feedback earlier this year calling for a new pool, initial plans to upgrade the indoor pool alongside constructing a new aquatics center before addressing the Aitken pool were impeded by funding challenges and local governance reforms slated for 2023. Attempts to secure cost-sharing agreements for a new pool with neighboring municipalities were unsuccessful.
To alleviate the current situation and work towards a long-term solution, different proposals for a new aquatics center will be assessed by council later this year, including the option of a proposed $81 million facility at the Grant-Harvey Centre. The city’s financial contribution to a new pool hinges on securing appropriate federal and provincial funding.
Council has approved a grant of $57,500 for repairs at the Aitken pool, covering half the costs for fixing the pool walls, deck, and waterproofing. This funding is derived from identified corporate savings. Despite initially slated for decommissioning in 2017, the Aitken pool has continued operating under a yearly maintenance agreement with the city contributing $290,000 annually.
The retrofit of the indoor pool is estimated to cost $15 million, with $9 million to be financed through borrowing from the Municipal Capital Borrowing Board and the remainder from federal funding. Construction at the Fredericton Indoor Pool is projected to commence in April 2028, resulting in a 12 to 18-month closure.
Mayor Steve Hicks emphasized that while the repairs to the existing pools are essential, the need for a new aquatics center remains urgent. He reassured that the city is diligently progressing towards securing partners and funding for the new facility.