The survey is open till October 12, 2021
Thank you to the community of Lac La Biche County for providing input and ideas towards this exciting project. We have listened and the proposed Concept Plan reflects your ideas. The Aquatics Centre will be a community and social hub for Lac La Biche County that meets the leisure, health, and wellness needs of families, youth, adults, and seniors.
We look forward to continued community engagement as this project moves forward.
The Concept Plan for the new Aquatics Centre introduces a multi-feature aquatics centre that includes a teaching and leisure pool, competition pool, lazy river, water slides, hot tub, steam rooms, multipurpose and program rooms, and viewing space. The Centre will be a source of pride for the community and a destination in Lac La Biche County for families, groups, individuals, and visitors to the area, offering a broad range of opportunities for its users. This is a one-of-a-kind amenity that has something for everyone. Whether it is learning to swim, training for water rescue, finding reprieve from a cold winter’s day, or spending time with family and friends the Aquatics Centre will be the new hub for leisure, fitness, and recreation in our region.
Quality of Life
From fitness programs to leisure opportunities, the new Aquatics Centre will enhance the lifestyle of all members of the Lac La Biche County community by providing a safe, comfortable, and convenient place to meet, stay active, and engage with other community members.
Community Health and Wellness
The Aquatics Centre will provide you with easy access to aquatic recreation, leisure, and fitness that can have a notable impact on your overall health. From stress management to boosting your mood, the mental health benefits from aquatics exercise will benefit the wellness of our community.
Strengthen our Community
The opening of the Aquatics Centre will be the envy of northeast Alberta, acting as an amenity to attract new residents and visitors to the County, supporting our growth and sustainability as a community. By promoting the development of swimmers at all age groups, the Centre will help facilitate sport tourism that will have positive impacts on our economy.
We expect you will have many questions as we move through this project, and we are committed to keeping the community informed every step of the way. Connect with us at recreation@laclabichecounty.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
HOW IS THIS FUNDED?
The County has secured funding through both a $6M federal government infrastructure grant and $9M in MSI funding. The remaining $12M will come from Lac La Biche County.
WHY IS THE NEW AQUATICS CENTRE A GOOD MOVE FOR THE COUNTY?
The new Aquatics Centre will strengthen our community by providing new economic opportunities, enhance our quality of life, and create new ways to promote health and wellness for all County residents. Aquatics operating costs will decrease with a new, modernized Centre while providing more services to the community.
WHEN WILL CONSTRUCTION BEGIN ON THE NEW AQUATICS CENTRE?
Construction of the new Aquatics Centre is anticipated to begin in 2022 and conclude in 2025.
WHEN WILL THE NEW AQUATICS CENTRE OPEN?
Based on our current timeline, the new Aquatics Centre will be open to the public in early 2026. We will keep the community informed as timelines shift.
WHAT WILL THE NEW AQUATICS CENTRE FEATURE?
The Concept Plan for the new Aquatics Centre includes a teaching and leisure pool, competition pool, lazy river, water slides, hot tub, steam rooms, multi-purpose and program rooms, and viewing space.
WHERE IS IT GOING TO BE LOCATED?
Original planning of the Bold Center identified a future Aquatics Centre attached, sharing parking and other amenities within the Multi-Purpose Recreation Center.
WHAT TYPE OF PROGRAMMING CAN I EXPECT?
Programming will be offered that reflects the needs and desires of the community. The new Aquatics Centre will be larger than the Portage Pool, as such the ability to offer more programs is available. The new amenities will also enable the delivery of some new programs.
WILL THERE BE DROP-IN LANE SWIMMING/FITNESS TIME?
We anticipate that there will be a desire for lane swimming at the new Aquatics Centre, and our plan is to create a schedule for fitness-focused time that meets these needs of our community.
WHAT WILL BE THE ADMISSION COST?
Our primary goal is to ensure that the community can access the new Aquatics Centre. The County will consider this when the new fees are set.
WILL THE CONSTRUCTION AFFECT THE HOURS OF OPERATION FOR THE BOLD CENTER?
Construction of the new Aquatics Centre will be carefully managed so there will be no disruption to the operation of the Bold Center.
HOW WILL THIS AFFECT THE CHILD MIND CENTRE?
The Child Mind Centre will have a space in the upstairs area. We have not completed the detailed planning on the upper floor, but we will be looking to include child services, wellness services, and rental areas.
WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROJECT? WHERE SHOULD I DIRECT MY QUESTIONS?
You may email recreation@laclabichecounty.com with additional questions.
