Inglewood Aquatic Centre to permanently close at end of the year (2024)

The Inglewood Aquatic Centre will permanently close in December, the city announced Thursday, citing the need for ongoing costly repairs.

Heather Johnson, the city’s director of recreation and social programs, said required electrical repairs — like those at other city-operated aquatics facilities — would take three months to complete at an estimated cost of $600,000.

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The Inglewood pool, which was almost closed in 2019 due to declining attendance and financial losses, will be shut down on Dec. 22.

“Recognizing the facility’s continued significance to the community, interim funding was provided to keep the pool operational until the nearby MNP Community and Sports Centre’s leisure expansion aquatics project is complete,” Johnson said Thursday.

“I want to assure you that there are no safety risks to our customers or staff accessing the facility; however, there is a risk the electrical system could unexpectedly fail, resulting in the facility being inoperable and causing a disruption to our user groups and customers.”

While the city considered options to keep the centre running, closing it at the end of the year prevents the need for the costly, time-consuming repairs, she said.

“Moreover, there is a chance that further repairs would be required because of the facility’s age. The closure creates the opportunity for potential redevelopment, including new housing that supports the local economy.”

Staff at the centre will be relocated to other city-operated aquatic facilities.

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Many city-operated aquatic and fitness facilities, like the Inglewood pool and the money-losing Beltline facility which previously closed, were built from the 1960s into the 1980s.

“These facilities have been well-used and well-loved, but many are now more than 50 years old and decades past their intended lifespan.”

Early next year, council will be presented with a long-term vision for inclusive, accessible, and sustainable recreation services, Johnson said. The plan will raise awareness that city-operated aquatic and fitness facilities continue to require significant investment in repair, modernization, and replacement.

“While we’ll complete the electrical repairs, at all city-operated aquatic facilities — except for Inglewood — we’re at the point where we need to consider rebuilding or replacing these facilities to better serve the evolving recreational needs of Calgarians.”

Johnson said although the land where Inglewood Aquatic Centre is located is too small to build a new facility, opportunities exist at other sites.

A public event is being planned, potentially in the fall, to celebrate its legacy.

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