COLD LAKE - The City of Cold Lake has taken a big step toward the creation of a new aquatic centre by applying for a $47.3 million grant under the Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada - Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Program.
This funding, if secured, would cover roughly half of the $93 million estimated cost to bring the project to life, according to information from the City of Cold Lake. If funding is secured, the projected completion date for the aquatic centre is 2029.
“The community has been asking for a pool for a very long time,” said Mayor Craig Copeland. “It’s a big and expensive undertaking, so we’ve been taking care with every step to make sure the right people are being consulted, and the money is set aside.”
The proposed aquatic centre is part of the City’s ongoing plans to expand the Cold Lake Energy Centre. The facility, which includes previous expansions, such as the 2019 addition of the Cenovus Energy Arena, climbing wall, and other facilities, was designed with future growth in mind.
City administration has worked to ensure community needs are reflected in the concept plan.
“The benefit of an Aquatic Centre is multifaceted, including two main community pillars - quality of life and health and wellness,” says CAO Kevin Nagoya.
During the development of the concept plan for the aquatic centre, the City of Cold Lake says it engaged with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure the facility would meet community needs.
Engagement included organizations such as the Lifesaving Society - Red Cross, Cold Lake Seniors Society, Age Friendly Cold Lake, Lakeland Catholic School District, Marlins Swim Club, Scuba Society, and Alberta Health Services. Additionally, public feedback forums were held to gather input from the community, ensuring that a diverse range of perspectives was considered in the design process, according to Nagoya.
There were a lot of ideas that were incorporated into the design of the facility and the design needs to balance quality of life, participation, reliability, and efficiencies with fiscal responsibility, said the CAO.
The proposed facility will feature a lane pool with a movable floor, leisure pool, waterslide, whirlpool, and lazy river. Other planned elements include public and staff change rooms, administrative spaces, and improved connectivity to existing and future parking areas.
“During concept development, a desire was expressed to reinforce existing linkages between facilities as well as to strengthen connections to adjacent parking fields. The aquatics facility is situated in a location that can take advantage of the connectivity of the arena concourse and can improve connectivity to adjacent parking fields and drop-off areas,” the City stated in a recent update.
However, challenges remain, particularly regarding funding.
“The budget numbers have climbed a bit from the report development,” said Nagoya. “The project is subject to all fund alignment including municipal contributions, sponsorships, intermunicipal contributions, and other resources.”
Nagoya highlighted the importance of securing funding to move ahead with the large project.
“The decision to move forward will be in the perspective of funding.”
The City is also exploring options to connect the proposed Lakeland Catholic School Division High School to the Cold Lake Energy Centre. Nagoya stated that the City is still reviewing potential attachment options for proposed new high school.
