Achi news desk-
Following years of struggles with high maintenance costs, the City of Calgary is closing one of its swimming facilities.
On Wednesday, officials said the Inglewood Aquatic Center will close on December 22, 2024.
“We are grateful to have been able to provide services at this facility to Calgarians for over 60 years. From swimming lessons to birthday celebrations to various events, we take great pride in fostering memorable experiences and contributing positively to well-being our community,” said Heather Johnson, the city’s director of recreation and social programs.
The facility, at 1527 17 Ave. SE, operating hours to three days a week last season.
The Inglewood Aquatic Center is one of more than a dozen city facilities in need of major electrical repairs, officials said Thursday.
The cost to repair the Inglewood pool would be at least $600,000 and would take three months to complete.
“Furthermore, there is a chance that further repairs would be needed due to the age of the facility,” Johnson said.
The facility has exceeded its expected life of 20 years, he added.
According to the city’s website, the center included a six-lane, 25-metre pool ranging in depth from one to three meters with an aquatic climbing wall.
It also had a dry sauna and a utility room.
In 2021, the city council voted to approve a $200,000 grant to help keep the pool, which is more than 50 years old, open.
During the debate at the time, the council discussed the efficiency of the building, its age, whether it could be maintained and whether it still generates a profit.
The City of Calgary also gave Beltline Pool $200,000, which allowed that facility to chart a different path by removing its pool and replacing it with a new gym.
The final decision to close the Inglewood Aquatic Center in 2021 was made after council approved the expansion of the MNP Community and Sports Centre.
The $57 million expansion project at MNP is expected to break ground this summer and is expected to be completed in 2027.
