Regina city council approves $40M cost overages for new indoor aquatic facility

Regina Mayor Chad Bachynski listens to delegates as part of 2025 city budget debate on March 17, 2025

Regina city council approved the increased budget for the new indoor aquatic facility plans at its Wednesday meeting.

Originally approved in October 2024 with a price tag of $241.1 million, the Lawson Pool replacement will now cost $280.1 million.

“It’s a good thing we’re moving forward with more cost certainty,” Mayor Chad Bachynski told reporters following the meeting. “It’s a tough decision where we’re making priority decisions on what we do and don’t do as a city.”

The cost increase came after a third-party consultant discovered the previously approved plans were $40 million over budget.

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City councillors were first presented the higher price tag at last week’s executive committee meeting, where debate over where to save money went over multiple hours.

Despite having the conversation a week prior, similar ideas of cutting geo-thermal systems from the plans were also had Wednesday.

Ultimately, council voted to approve the new budget in a vote of 9-2, with only Ward 2 Coun. Geoge Tsiklis and Ward 10 Coun. Clark Bezo voting against.

“It’s a big dollar item. I think it’s fair council wants to have a discussion to make sure we talk about all the different options and avenues [to take],” Bachynski added.

“Ultimately, city [administration] has done a lot of really good work to look at what the best options are moving forward, given the grant money that’s available and secured, and the need in our community.”

In order to pay for the cost overages, the city will reallocate funds from other projects along with $10 million of additional debt funding.

Bachynski expected shovels to be in the ground early this fall with hopes the facility will be open in 2029.