Work continues on the new aquatic centre in Boissevain with the pouring of concrete taking place this past week.

The multi-million-dollar project includes a new pool area, upgrades to the existing change room building and construction of a new mechanical building.

The project was awarded a $300,000 grant through the province of Manitoba’s Building Sustainable Communities program. “We’re delighted to get that grant. You know it’s very encouraging when the province realizes the importance of recreation facilities and how difficult it is for small communities to build,” said Boissevain-Morton Head of Council Judy Swanson.

“We’ve been very fortunate to receive two of these grants on for phase one and one for phase two of the pool. We’re really thankful because that would have been another $600,000, we’d have to come up with somewhere now.”

With some of the pool work now in sight above the ground Boissevain-Morton’s director of parks and recreation Wendy Giesbrecht says it’s getting exciting to see the project really coming together. “It’s amazing and they just poured the deep end of the pool and the framing of the inside of the building is coming together and they’re starting to put the slide together right away. All the construction is now visible, and it leaves a lasting impact when you stop by and have a look.”

The new aquatic centre will have deep end swimming lanes, two water slides, lazy river, a tot’s slide and the gradual entry. The new pool will be almost twice the size of the old pool that served the community for more than 65 years.

 

Melissa Perkins works with the municipality, and she adds the aquatic centre will be a real draw.

 

“The pool capacity is going up to 346 from 199 people which is a substantial increase. Having the amenities, we’ll have will be a real draw and we expect the pool will bring people to town. It’s exciting to know the pool will be more accessible to everyone. We’ll have the four-lane lap pool, there’s s hallow end with a beach entry to allow anyone to get in there. There are lots of slides for people of all ages.”

 

“This will be amazing for our community and the local economy,” said Melissa Perkins.