Canada’s public indoor pools—over half at least 25 years old—face widespread closures. Municipalities scramble to fund major repairs or build replacements.
Nationwide Pool Infrastructure Under Strain
A significant portion of Canada’s publicly owned indoor pools—more than 50 percent—have surpassed 25 years in age and are increasingly deemed to be in poor condition. This trend has triggered widespread concerns over the future of aquatic infrastructure and community access to safe, functional swimming facilities.
Aging Facilities and Escalating Costs
From Moncton and Winnipeg to Montreal and Victoria, municipalities, universities, and community sports clubs across Canada are grappling with the financial burdens of renovation or replacement. The dire state of aging pools is forcing closures or costly refurbishments that often span years.
Local Impacts on Communities and Competitors
In Winnipeg, the St. James Civic Centre pool remains closed until at least autumn 2026, and the University of Manitoba’s Joyce Fromson Pool is out of commission indefinitely after a major leak bent its 60-year-old structure out of service. The disruption has left 85 swimmers at the St. James Seals scrambling for training lanes this winter.
Athletes and Clubs Feel the Heat
Competitive swimmers such as world medallist Mary-Sophie Harvey now juggle practice between four different Montreal pools after her primary facility, Complexe sportif Claude-Robillard, closed for renovations that run through 2026. In Victoria, Sudbury, Vancouver and other cities, long-held community and university pools have closed permanently or remain underfunded and deteriorating.
Why Aquatic Infrastructure Matters
Swimming is a vital life skill and a cornerstone of competitive aquatic sports. Drowning remains Canada’s second-leading cause of accidental death in children—making access to swimming lessons and training essential. Yet, with limited funding and drawn-out bureaucratic processes delaying repairs and construction, Canada faces a serious public safety and sports development challenge.
What’s Being Done—and What’s at Stake
Some cities are committed to renewing aging facilities, but feasibility studies, funding delays, and logistics often stall projects, extending shutdowns from months into years. Leaders in the sector, including Swim BC’s Jeannie Lo and Swimming Canada’s Jocelyn Jay, urge immediate federal engagement to prioritize aquatic infrastructure and ensure future generations have access to safe swimming environments.
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