Ottawa to explore plans to build an aquatic centre at Carleton University
The City of Ottawa is moving ahead with plans to explore the construction of a new aquatic sports centre on the campus of Carleton University.
At its July 2 meeting, the city’s Finance and Corporate Services Committee recommend that city council move forward with non-binding negotiations with the university to fund, develop, manage and operate a new joint Aquatic Sports Centre. The facility would include a 50-metre and a 25-metre pool.
The city has approved an expenditure of up to $150,000 for the preliminary design and cost estimation of the joint facility.
Located in the west end, Ottawa’s Nepean Sportsplex is among the only aquatic facilities in Eastern Ontario to feature a 50-metre pool and therefore the only one able to host aquatic sport competitions.
However, a city report suggests that changes to the standards for many aquatic sports have left made the facility unable to host aquatic sport training and competitions.
Ottawa is therefore often not considered, nor deemed a competitive option, to host competitive swimming, diving, water polo or synchronized swimming events, and is missing out on the associated local opportunities and economic benefit, the report says.
The city has highlighted the need for a new 50-metre pool in various planning documents, and approved a background study on the matter in its 2022 Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan. A subsequent report, published earlier this year, estimated the project could cost as much as $54.6 million.
The city led a request for expression of interest process in 2021 that yielded seven potential partners that would work with the city to design, build, and operate a new aquatic sports centre within the next five years.
This centre would include a 50-metre, 10-lane pool, including diving facilities and spectator stands, and a 25-meter, eight-lane pool to increase access to the general public and allow the City of Ottawa to host competitive aquatic events.
Carleton University ultimately emerged as the top proponent, having confirmed a significant financial contribution for the construction of a new facility and demonstrated readiness to break ground within 24 months of finalizing an agreement with a partner.
The university had already begun their own design process for the lifecycle replacement of their existing 50-metre pool facility.