Aquatic Facility Expansion Moves from Vision to Reality
by Town of High River
11/07/2024
Community Council
(HIGH RIVER, AB) – On July 8, 2024, High River’s Town Council voted to award a construction contract for the Aquatic Facility Expansion. After 2.5 years of planning, design work, and community feedback this marks a significant milestone that will see the project begin construction this summer. The construction tender is awarded to Chandos Construction LP in the amount of $22,289,285. This project contract is broken down into the following elements:
- New leisure pool, waterslide, teaching basin and mechanical systems: $15,979,035
- Existing lap pool area renovations: $3,906,551
- Lobby and Zamboni Area Improvements: $2,403,699
Residents can find project design and details on the Aquatic Facility Expansion webpage.
Since December 2021, this project has been a top priority for Council, aiming to create a welcoming, family-oriented facility with amenities for all users.
“This is a huge investment for our community. We need an enhanced facility in High River,” said Mayor Craig Snodgrass. “This expansion is the right size to meet community needs, and it is the right time to move this forward. With this decision, we are moving from vision to reality, and a facility for all to enjoy for decades to come.”
Initial project costs will be covered by grants, reserves and other funding sources. Council supported borrowing up to $14 million to cover any remaining costs through a borrowing bylaw coming forward later this year. Funding for this complete project will be broken down into these sources:
Funding Source | Amount |
Property sale proceeds (Riverside Drive home resale) | $1,000,000 |
Provincial Grant funding | $11,799,774 |
Town of High River Aquatics Reserve | $387,520 |
Total Savings and Grant Funding | $13,187,294 |
Balance to be funded (borrowed) | $13,606, 628 |
Total project costs including contingency and costs to date | $26,793,922 |
“Council has put a great deal of thought and deliberation into this decision”, said Mayor Snodgrass. “When the Field House was built 12 years ago, council at that time had similar discussions. They made a bold decision then and it’s been a great addition to our community. This expansion will build on that, with a modern facility that will appeal to all ages, right here in High River. This is built on what High River needs and moves us forward. For decades we have been stuck in extremely expensive dreams of massive new rec facilities that would be nothing more than reckless. This council has made a bold decision with this aquatics expansion to our existing facility. It is a responsible decision using available grant funding and borrowing capacity and creates a rec facility we can be very proud of.”
Updates related to the facility will be provided to Bob Snodgrass Recreation Complex users, pool user groups and the public. Completion is expected in early 2026. Subscribe to the Town’s news feed and follow official social media channels and our website to follow this project.
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For more information
Media Inquiries: Mayor Craig Snodgrass | General inquiries: Chris Prosser, CAO |