The ‘golden’ shovels turned the sod as the Town of Saugeen Shores held a ground-breaking for its new Aquatic & Wellness Centre on Monday, October 2nd.
Council approved the construction in December, 2022.
The Centre will be a state-of-the-art facility that will house an eight-lane 25-metre pool, a leisure/therapy pool, and a three-lane 125-metre walking/running track, as well as a fitness and wellness centre.
Mayor’s Address
It is one of the Town’s biggest capital projects to date and will serve as a regional recreational hub for decades to come. The Town is also using this opportunity to re-imagine the space for its office staff using the Workplace 2.0 concept.
The new energy efficient AWC will be built adjacent to the Saugeen Shores Community Complex (‘the Plex”) as well as integrating part of the existing building. The facility will feature:
- a modern, accessible aquatic facility, complete with an eight-land 25-metre pool, a leisure/therapy pool and a designated viewing area.
- a gymnasium, fitness studio, conditioning centre with fitness equipment, three-lane 125-metre walking/running track and multi-purpose rooms.
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common spaces, including accessible washrooms and changerooms, meeting spaces, and customer service areas.
Among those invited to the ceremony was The Breakers Swim Team of some 70 – 80 members who were beside themselves with excitement with the thought of a new pool.
Jeff Budau, Head Coach said that the new facility will be a game changer. “The eight lanes will provide so much variety that cannot be offered with a five-lane pool. It will allow length-lane swimming for adults and fitness alongside those who are training competitively.”
There are approximately 70 to 80 members in the Breakers from the very young to Masters swimmers. Budau went on to explain that new facilities have changed their designs dramatically.
“Equipment has come a long way,” said Budau. “For instance the dimensions of starting blocks have changed since ours were implemented 30 years ago, which makes a huge difference for our swimmers training and then going into competition where the blocks are completely different.”
For more information on the project, go to https://www.saugeenshores.ca/en/explore-and-play/aquatic-wellness-centre.aspx
This project is a Major Initiative for the Community Services and Operations department, as set out in the 2023 Business Plan approved by Council (p. 23). For more information, visit https://www.saugeenshores.ca/en/explore-and-play/aquatic-wellness-centre.aspx.
