The aquatic centre at the Lake Country Co-op Centre. (submitted photo/city of PA)

By Susan McNeil

Delayed opening

Staff scheduling challenges lead to delayed opening of new pool

May 23, 2025 | 11:50 AM

Swimming at the new Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre will wait until mid-August, according to a City of Prince Albert news release on Friday.

Options exist, however, as the outdoor Kinsmen Park pool will open in several weeks and the Frank J. Dunn Pool next to Carlton High School will remain open until the end of June, when it will close permanently.

“Due to the upcoming opening of the Kinsmen Water Park in the first week of June and the ongoing operation of the Frank J. Dunn Pool until the end of the school year, the City is unable to safely staff all three aquatic facilities simultaneously,” said the City in a news release.

Ice surfaces in the new aquatic centre have been operating for several months now, but swimming has not been available.

Mayor Bill Powalinsky said that as the opening of the aquatic centre approached and the timelines became clear, the staffing concerns also became more clear and they didn’t want to hire people just to lay them off.

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“We don’t want to be hiring folks then laying them off,” he said. “We basically want to take the staff around and move them from facility to facility.”

Next year, the hiring approach will be a little different as there are only two pools to worry about.

“This year because we’re operating three facilities, it will be a challenge,” he said.

In order for the pool to operate, the city and its contractor must also finalize safety protocols, conduct system checks and make some final adjustments, steps it said are critical in order to give the public the full attractions that will be available.

Inside the pool are a competition pool, two water slides, a whirlpool and a lazy river, along with a combined leisure splash and wave pool.

As a result, the public opening of the Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre’s aquatic area will follow the closure of the Kinsmen Water Park in August.

“We truly appreciate the community’s patience and support as we work toward the full launch of this remarkable facility,” said Jody Boulet, Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture. “We can’t wait to officially welcome everyone to enjoy the aquatic spaces later this summer.”

The city said it has been impressed with the level of response and bookings in the twin ice pads that share the building.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

On BlueSky: @susanmcneil.bsky.social