Wascana Pool Renewal

For the past 70 years, Wascana Pool has been part of the summer park experience for Regina residents. Work is underway to design and build a renewed facility that will meet the needs of Regina residents and enhance the park experience.

Project Update

We have reached a huge milestone for the project! Construction is getting started.

This June, construction is ramping up at Wascana Pool! On Thursday, May 20, 2021 the Provincial Capital Commission (PCC) gave the final approval for the design of Wascana Pool. When complete, the Wascana Pool project will offer residents of all ages exciting new ways to enjoy Wascana Park.

The City has also awarded the tender to move forward with construction beginning on June 1. Construction is expected to be completed for a first, full season in 2023. The project has received significant funding from the Municipal Economic Enhancement Program (MEEP). MEEP funding will provide $12 million to the City of Regina to support this project.

Wascana pool is an important part of our community. It will be an exciting, inclusive, vibrant facility that will provide a unique outdoor summer experience to Regina residents of all ages. Conveniently located right beside the new pool, a new accessible playground and spray pad will be developed with free access for everyone. Additionally, the Wascana Pool concession will be open to both pool users and those visiting the park.

Public Consultation

Over 5,300 Regina residents responded to the second phase of public engagement, sharing their preferences for pool basin design and features. Opportunities to provide feedback included an online survey and an Open House on November 12, 2019. Responses represent a range of preferences and demonstrate broad community interest in a renewed facility. Highlights include:

• Most respondents (53%) preferred the separate lap and leisure pool design.
• Survey respondents are likely to use a variety of features with hot tub (78%), lazy river (76%) and water slides (73%) identified as the features respondents are most likely to use.
• Responses received from 94 residents who attended the open house indicated a stronger preference for the separate lap and leisure pool design (71%) and strongly favoured lane swimming (92%) as the feature they are most likely to use. Comments received at the open house indicated most wanting a pool with 50-metre swim lanes.

Read the full report of the November 2019 Engagement

The first phase of public consultation included market research, online survey and stakeholder consultations. Residents told us that family recreation is their highest priority with opportunities for personal fitness being second. Approximately 500 residents participated in the market research and over 4,000 people responded to the online survey.

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Proposed Timeline

2021

• Construction of renewed Wascana Pool begins

2022

• Construction continues
  
  

2023

• Grand Opening
• Full season

List of Amenities:

• lap pool with diving boards
• leisure pool with zero depth entry
• waterslides
• lazy river
• hot tub
• water toys
• accessible and inclusive washroom and change rooms
• concession
• multi-purpose room

There will also be an accessible playground and spray pad located outside the fence, that residents will be able to access without entering the pool.

Location

The Wascana Pool site has reached the end of its useful life and has been identified as the location for the new facility which will be developed in consultation with the community. The Wascana Park Master Plan references culture and recreation as part of the Park vision. A renewed Wascana Pool on an expanded footprint is consistent with the vision and the Master Plan. The facility could include elements that would support activities such as lane swimming, diving, water play, water sliding and lounging/picnicking.

FAQs

What are the benefits to opening a renewed Wascana Pool?
A new facility will better meet residents’ needs and participation will increase once the new facility is built. This has occurred in other western Canadian cities where new, more modern outdoor aquatic centres are built. These facilities provide recreation elements such as zero depth entry, water slides, spray toys, lap swimming and diving that appeal to a broader range of residents.

What is the participation rate of the outdoor pools?
Participation in Regina’s outdoor pools is low relative to capacity. Although Regina has more outdoor pools on a per capita basis than other Western Canadian cities (see table below), they are all underutilized, outdated in design, have limited support features and do not provide the contemporary experience that residents have enjoyed when visiting other municipalities of Regina’s size.

How does Regina’s pool capacity compare to other municipalities?
Regina has more outdoor pool on a per capita basis compared to other western Canadian cities.

Why can't the City repair Maple Leaf and Wascana Pools?
Engineering experts have confirmed that, due to age and condition, the two outdoor pools have reached the end of their useful life. Maple Leaf Pool cannot safely be opened in 2019 and Wascana Pool will not be able to open beyond the 2019 season. The deficiencies at these facilities are beyond simple maintenance and repair and include major structural, mechanical and electrical systems as well as accessibility and building code requirements.

Why was the Wascana Pool site recommended for a renewed facility?
The Wascana Park Master Plan and the approved vision for the park include recreation.

• Central Location: Wascana Pool is centrally located in Regina and is easily accessible.
• Environment: Wascana Pool is situated in Wascana Park, where people love to swim. Public consultation has revealed that many customers spend a full day in Wascana Park, with the pool being one of many amenities that they access throughout the day.
• Available Space: Wascana Pool is Regina’s largest pool, with room to expand.