By Tyler Marr

Kinsmen Water Park upgrades officially unveiled

Jul 4, 2018 | 8:37 AM

Nearly one year and $1.2 million later, the Kinsmen Water Park overhaul is complete.

A long list of improvements to the main pool were completed and it was equipped with a multitude of features.

Of most significance is the fully accessible beach allowing for a gradual entry into the water. Two aquatic wheelchairs are also available to assist with entry.

A Tot Pool with a maximum depth of 0.25 meters sits beside a leisure pool and contains features such as a spray umbrella and tree. This pool connects to the 25 metre long, 2.9 metre deep 6-lane junior Olympic sized pool with blocks to allow for competitive events. The pool also has room for a diving board down the road.

Recreation Manager Derek Blais said the upgrades were a long time coming and is eager to show off the facility over the summer.

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“Over the years, we kept track of all the issues we have had with the old pool and if ever we got an opportunity to build a new one and the features we would like to see,” he explained. “We are able to incorporate a lot of that in what we see today.”

Blais was most proud of the mixture and balance of competitive and leisure amenities and is optimistic it will allow the city to attract a major swimming competition.

Aquatic recreation programmer Lauren Haubrich, who has overseen the city’s aquatic facilities for nearly a decade, said the upgrades have made a positive splash of feedback from residents and employees alike. She said increasing accessibility was crucial to enhancing services.

“It makes it a lot more accessible for seniors and others in the community,” she said. “Before it was a little bit challenging for people getting in and out of the pool but now we have reduced that barrier.”

Ward 7 Coun. Dennis Nowoselsky, whose Ward borders the facility and is a strong supporter of the public works department, was on site Saturday when the facility unofficially opened to the public.

“It is clean, it is beautiful, it is a great start,” he said, hinting at his desire to eventually see an all-season indoor aquatic centre. “With the Worlds (softball) coming, tourists coming, they will have a nice pool…recreation services are vital for quality of life. The city taxpayers deserve facilities like this.”

The pool was originally constructed in 1966.

tyler.marr@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JournoMarr