Background
Through various studies, it has become evident that there is significant demand for indoor aquatic facilities and that existing facilities are at or near capacity.  Given the age and condition of the only municipal pool, the City of St. Catharines has been assessing community recreational needs through research initiatives and public consultations since 2004. 

In January 2008 City Council formally committed to enhancing indoor aquatics facilities in the City of St. Catharines, and established a new aquatic centre as a priority community infrastructure project.

Project Description
The municipal aquatic centre, to be constructed at Lester B. Pearson Park at Carlton Street and Niagara Street is an approximately 47,195 square foot facility and includes an 7,007 square foot library branch.  The total anticipated budget for this project is $17.58 million, plus $2.13 million for the addition of a Grantham Library Branch.  This project has received $4.5 million in funding from the Government of Ontario under the Municipal Infrastructure Investment Initiative (MIII).  The project will emphasize sustainable design and City Council has approved a minimum of LEED Silver Certification with an estimated additional cost of $637,000.

Community feedback indicates that a new City of St. Catharines municipal aquatic facility must be relevant for families and senior citizens and inclusive for swimmers of all ages and abilities.  The majority of participants have indicated the need for a facility than can offer multiple experiences, unlike traditional models that cater exclusively toward lap swimmers.

The municipal aquatics centre features a double pool design to accommodate the needs of aquatics participants of all ages and abilities.  A 25 metre, eight lane, rectangular lap pool with ramp entry, and built-in poolside bleachers will accommodate lane swimming, recreational swimming and lessons for intermediate to advanced swimmers.  An irregular leisure pool with both beach and ramp entry, splash pad and small child slide will be set to warmer temperatures and accommodate the needs of senior citizens, children and family recreational activity, therapeutic classes and lessons for children and infants. 

A double pool design offers significant advantages: the separation between tanks creates back up in the event of pool fouling or system failures; allows for separate temperature controls to accommodate recreational and novice swimmers as well as intermediate and competitive swimmers; and, nearly doubles opportunities for rentals and programming by creating clearly defined aquatic spaces tailored to different user groups.

The facility will also contain the following components:

• barrier free access for persons with disabilities, including ramp entry to pools
• on-deck viewing for parents and guardians
• male, female and family change rooms
• community rooms for rentals and programming space
• inclusion of an 7,007 Grantham Library Branch (to replace the existing Branch currently in leased space)
• maintenance and electrical space
• office and administrative space
• the facility will seek a minimum of Silver certification under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system

The approved location for the Municipal Aquatic Centre is Lester B. Pearson Park at Carlton Street and Niagara Street in St. Catharines.  The City is currently working with the architectural firm Shore, Tilbe Irwin and Partners on the design of the facility. 

For a list of frequently asked questions, please click here.

Call for Artists

The City of St. Catharines is inviting artists from across Canada to submit proposal for a work of public art to be installed at the future municipal aquatic centre and library branch at Lester B. Pearson Park.  The Call for Submissions provides artists with four distinct locations for a work of art, two within the facility and two outside the main entrance, which can be viewed here.

All art mediums will be considered in the open competition, including but not limited to pain, textile, glass, wood, water, text, digital and interdisciplinary.  To see the full release please click here, further bidding information can be found on the city´s online Bid Opportunities tab.

For more information regarding the municipal aquatic centre project please check this site often or contact the project team at (905)688-5601 extension 1703.