Regina's Wascana Pool ready to make a splash
After two years, the wait for the new Wascana Pool is over, as the facility gets ready to make a splash at its official opening on June 8.
The facility is designed as one of the most accessible and inclusive facilities in the country, according to the City of Regina.
With zero depth entry options for all pools, accessible all gender washrooms and change rooms, as well as braille markings, the pool was designed with everyone in mind.
“We were able to make sure things like ramps into all the pools was there but there’s also these subtle things like the low fence around the playground as well as just braille in areas that you wouldn’t normally expect to have it, like locker tags,” said Eric de Waal, senior project manager.
Some other highlights include two nine storey tall waterslides, a lazy river, climbing wall, and a hot tub with therapy sprays. Additionally, there is a brand new playground and spray park right outside the pool facility opening the second week of June.
de Waal said those will also have accessible features.
“Things like ramp access to some of the features, we’ve got an inclusive swing that has a harness on that you can put folks in and swing them, as well as a wheelchair accessible merry-go-round,” he said.
Even though the pool will be opening soon, the project management team still plans to continue updating the facility, making it more accessible. Those plans include an elevator, which will help those with mobility issues enjoy the waterslide.
WATCH: After two years, the new Wascana Pool is ready to make a splash this summer. Hallee Mandryk has the details.
“There will be a lift on the top that will take the patron from the elevator onto the slide, and there is going to be another lift right where the open flow is to take them out of the slide and onto their wheelchair, or just take them out of the slide if they don’t have a wheelchair,”said Nives Ambrosia, project manager of facilities and engineering.
Sustainability was another big factor considered in the design of the facility. The pools are designed with a regenerative filtration system, making them both greener and safer.
The facility will also feature the city’s first recirculating spray pad.
After years of planning and construction, the project team expressed how excited they are to finally see their work come to fruition.
“Sometimes in the midst of it when you’re swearing at a contractor, you forget why you’re doing it all and so at the moment when those kids come on deck and see that everybody can see that and be so proud of that, so I’m pretty excited to just watch the kids enjoy this place,” de Waal said.
The project had a price tag of $16.4 million, with the provincial government providing $12 million in funding through the Municipal Economic Enhancement Program (MEE), and the City of Regina covering the remainder of the cost.
The facility will open on June 8, and a Grand Opening party will be held on June 15 from 2:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.