New aquatic centre could be built in south Winnipeg

The City of Winnipeg is hiring a consultant to plan and design an aquatic centre for south Winnipeg.

A new aquatic centre could be coming to a new recreation facility being built in south Winnipeg.

The City of Winnipeg is hiring a consultant to plan and design an aquatic centre for the South Winnipeg Recreation Campus, according to a recent request for proposals issued.

Coun. Janice Lukes (Waverley West) said a pool is needed for the growing southern portion of the city.

“There is a real need for swimming. We are a province that has 100,000 Lakes, and people need to know how to swim,” she said. “Swimming is very, very good therapeutically for older adults, we’ve got an aging, demographic, so I see a high need for this.”

The aquatic centre, which is estimated to cost between $40 and $60 million will likely feature a lap pool, leisure pool, water slides and much more.

Lukes said the last major aquatic facility of this size built was the Pan Am Pool in 1967, and that building is starting to show its age.

“This is a big step,” she said.

Lukes said the city has set aside $1.5 million in the 2026 budget for design work and public engagement, and predicts a draft design will be shared with residents next year.

Construction on the first phase of the recreation centre, which includes a gymnasium, running track and child care facility, begins this spring.

The complex is being built on Bison Drive, east of Kenaston.

-With files from CTV’s Daniel Halmarson