The city of Cold Lake is moving forward with its Aquatic Centre project by applying for a $47,375,000 grant from the Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada – Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Program.
If the city gets approved, the funding would cover a significant portion of the estimated $93 million needed to complete the project.
“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 Aquatic Centre will be a major expansion of the existing Energy Centre, which underwent its last update in 2019. That expansion, which added the Cenovus Energy Arena, a climbing wall, a lounge, and additional meeting and office spaces, was planned with future projects in mind. The next stage will see the centre grow further, bringing dedicated aquatic facilities to the region.
The upcoming Aquatic Centre Concept Design Report will play a critical role in guiding the project, establishing key design requirements and operational budgets to help city council and administration make informed decisions as they move forward.
The plans include a Natatorium, which will offer a versatile lane pool with a movable floor, a deep end with two 1.0-meter springboards, a zero-entry leisure pool, a waterslide, whirlpool, and a lazy river. The facilities will also include administrative spaces, public and staff change rooms, and improved connections to the Energy Centre’s concourse and parking fields.
The Aquatic Centre will also enhance connectivity options for a proposed Lakeland Catholic School Division high school at Imperial Park, located near the Cold Lake Energy Centre.
Upon completion, the Aquatic Centre will provide year-round aquatics programs, rentals, and drop-in opportunities, benefiting residents across Cold Lake and neighboring municipalities. If the grant application is successful, the city anticipates a completion date in 2029.
For updates and detailed information on the project, residents are encouraged to visit the city’s website.
