Aquatic Centre Project Details

April 2018

• The Aquatic Centre Advisory Committee (ACAC) was formed.
• The City retained a consultant to prepare a Pre-Design Plan.

June 2018

• 425 households and 42 community organizations were surveyed to collect community feedback about the potential project.

September 2018

Two preliminary concepts were presented to the community for feedback:

• A new Aquatic Centre with a 25 metre lap pool; or
• A renovation/addition to Ruth Inch Memorial Pool, with a new 25 metre lap pool and expanded support spaces.

October 2018

• The Pre-Design Plan is presented to Council, with a recommendation from the ACAC for a new Aquatic Centre with a 52 metre pool, based on public feedback.
• The capital cost was estimated at $49.8 million.

February 2019

The City contracted Colliers Project Leaders as the Project Manager for the Aquatic Centre project.

December 2019

The City retained Taylor Architecture Group to finalize the details of the Pre-Design Plan and, if approved, to complete bridging documents for a Design-Build process.

February 2020

City Council instructed Administration to develop two concepts for the new Aquatic Centre:

• A new Aquatic Centre with a 25 metre lap pool; and
• A new Aquatic Centre with a 52 metre lap pool.

September/October 2020

• Public engagement sessions on a new Aquatic Centre took place from September 21-23, 2020.
• An Aquatic Centre survey was available online, during engagement sessions and at City Hall from September 21-October 7, 2020.

November 2020

City Administration gave a presentation on the Aquatic Centre Design Plan during the Governance and Priorities Committee meeting on November 16, 2020.

March 2020

The planning and development of the Aquatic Centre was put on hold as a result of COVID-19 and consequential supply chain issues. 

January 2021

• The Aquatic Centre Design Plan as prepared by Taylor Architect Group was adopted by City Council.
• City Council directed Administration to proceed with the completion of the Design Build process that included a 25 metre, 8 lane Aquatic Centre.
• City Council confirmed that an amusement park style waterslide would be considered in the development of the Aquatic Centre.

July 2021

The City of Yellowknife issued an invitational Request for Proposals (RFP) for the construction of a proposed Aquatic Centre.

September 2021

Clark Builders’ design-build proposal was selected by the City of Yellowknife. Their proposal for the construction of the facility was estimated at $67,735,329 (excluding GST).

October 2021

• City Administration gave a presentation on whether to seek voter approval to borrow funds through a referendum Aquatic Centre during the Governance and Priorities Committee meeting on October 12, 2021.
• Council approved the Aquatic Centre’s overall project budget of $71.7 million (excluding GST) for voter approval.

November 2021

• The City held a referendum to determine if the City is allowed to borrow up to $10,001,000 to build the proposed Aquatic Centre.
• Majority of eligible voters voted in favour of the City borrowing to fund a portion of the construction cost, the City entering into an agreement with Clark Builders, and commencing work on the proposed Aquatic Centre in 2022.

• Clark Builders conducted site prep.
• The energy model was completed and assessed by a third party consultant to be 15% above the National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings.
• Accessibility consultations were conducted.
• The design was finalized.

• The construction of the Aquatic Centre's exterior commenced.
• The walls, ceiling and roof structures were fully finalized.
• The building of the Aquatic Centre was delayed as a result of the 2023 wildfires and consequential supply chain issues.

• The construction of the Aquatic Centre's interior commenced.
• All basins were dug. 
• Extensive tile work and landscaping were completed. 
• The installation of all amenities was completed.
• All plumbing and building components (back of house operations) were finalized.
• The construction of the Aquatic Centre's exterior was completed.

• The pools were filled.
• The ceiling décor was installed.
• Compliance inspections are underway.   
• The final touches on the construction of the facility are in progress.
• Staff orientation and training.

The City of Yellowknife remains on track to complete the overall development and construction of the Aquatic Centre within the allocated project budget of $71.7 million (excluding GST).

• Aquatic Centre Concept Design Report
• Appendix A – Concept Drawings
• Appendix B – Site Selection Recommendation
• Appendix C – Public Consultation Panels
• Appendix D – Public Consultation Results
• Appendix E – Energy Modeling Report
• Appendix F1 – Class D Cost Estimate
• Appendix F2 – COVID Letter
• Appendix G – Swim Canada New Facility Rules