Acadia University in Wolfville announces permanent pool closure, discontinues varsity swim team

Acadia University is closing its pool for good at the end of this term.

Acadia University in Wolfville, N.S., announced it will close its swimming pool on June 15, 2025, in a Monday news release. The university said it made the decision because financial challenges have made pool operations unsustainable.

The pool has operated at an annual deficit of $400,000 for years, said the release.

DEI Consulting Engineers confirmed the pool needs extensive repairs and estimated the costs at more than $3 million in a November report.

The head of athletics told athletes that Acadia’s swim team would be discontinued on Sunday, said the parent of one swimmer in an email to CTV. She said her son chose Acadia because of the swim team and that many parents got calls “from their kids – in tears – devastated.”

Acadia University confirmed the varsity swim program would be discontinued in their release.

“Today’s athletes continue to lead strong performances and position themselves as strong contenders heading into the upcoming AUS Championship,” said the release. “We will continue to support the facility until the end of the season so long as water quality and safety can be maintained.”

Elsie Gillis is a volunteer with the Sensory Motor Instructional Leadership Experience (S.M.I.L.E.), a volunteer-driven program at Acadia University that provides persons with disabilities access to physical activity and development. She said S.M.I.L.E. includes 400 volunteers and 250 participants each semester, all learning fundamental swimming skills, including her sister who has participated in the program for more than 20 years.

“There is no way to express how great of an impact the pool has added to the S.M.I.L.E. program, and everyone touched by the program is saddened by the news of its closure,” Gillis said. “Despite this news, the leadership team at S.M.I.L.E. has continued commitment to explore creative ways to offer physical activity programming to all of its participants.”

Dr. Jeff Hennessey, president and vice-chancellor of Acadia University, said the decision was difficult because they know how much the pool means for the community.

“After reviewing all options, we have had to face the hard reality that it is financially unfeasible to continue operating the facility,” Hennessey said.

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