Concept Plan
Through community consultation the New Aquatic Facility Concept Plan has been accepted by the community and County Council. The Concept Plan is a multi-feature aquatic facility attached to the existing Bold Center, which includes a teaching and leisure pool, competitive 6 lane 25m pool, lazy river, waterslides, hot tub, stream rooms, multipurpose and program rooms, and viewing space.
Being included into the Bold Center this will be a sources of pride for the community and a destination in Lac La Biche County for families, groups, individuals, and visitors to the area, offering a broad range of opportunities for the users of the facility. These amenities being added to the Bold Center will offer something for everyone.
Quality of Life
From fitness to leisure opportunities, the new Aquatic Facility at the Bold Center will enhance the lifestyle of all members of the Lac La Biche County community by providing a safe, comfortable, and convenient place to meet, stay active and engage with other community members.
Community Health and Wellness
The Aquatic Facility will provide you easy access to aquatic recreation, leisure, and fitness that can result in an improvement in your overall health. From stress management to boosting your mood, the mental health benefits from aquatics exercise will benefit the wellness of our community.
Strengthen our Community
The opening of the Aquatic facility at the Bold Center will be the envy of northeast Alberta, acting as an amenity to attract new residents, visitors and keeping families in the County, supporting the communities growth and sustainability as a community. By promoting the development of aquatic programs at all age groups, the aquatic facility will help with sport tourism that will have positive impacts on our economy.
Development Plan
Over the last two (2) years Lac La Biche County has completed feasibility studies and community consultation to gain a community vision for an Aquatic Facility in Lac La Biche County. This information was very beneficial in developing the approved Concept Plan.
Lac La Biche County has completed an Request For Proposal (RFP) process to retain the Services of Turnbull Construction Project Managers Ltd., for the Project Management of the Aquatic Facility. It has an estimated opening date of September 2025.
Capital Funding
The estimation to complete the new Aquatic Facility is $27 million. Lac La Biche County has received approval of an Infrastructure Grant for the development of the New Aquatic Facility and completed a Borrowing Bylaw (21-036) to support the development of the New Aquatic Facility:
- Provincial Grant: $9 million
- Federal Grant: $6 million
- County Borrowing: $12 million
New Aquatic Facility Plan - Frequently Asked Questions
Throughout the development of the Aquatic Facility we expect that you will have many questions, and we are committed to keeping the community informed every step of the way. Connect with us at recreation@laclabichecounty.com
WHY IS THE NEW AQUATICS FACILITY A GOOD MOVE FOR THE COUNTY?
The new Aquatic Facility will strengthen our community by providing new economic opportunities, enhance our quality of life, and create new ways to promote health and wellness for all County residents. A new Aquatic Facility will provide more services to the community.
WHAT WILL THE NEW AQUATICS FACILITY FEATURE?
The Concept Plan for the new Aquatic Facility includes: teaching pool; leisure pool; competitive 6 lane 25m pool; lazy river; water slides; hot tub; stream room; multi-purpose and program rooms; and viewing space.
WHERE IS IT GOING TO BE LOCATED?
The original planning of the Bold Center identified a future Aquatic Facility attached to the Bold Center, there is an opportunity for shared amenities like parking, common area and other amenities within the Multi-Purpose Recreation Center.
WILL PORTAGE POOL BE KEPT OPEN? IF NOT, WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO PORTAGE POOL?
The New Aquatics Facility is intended to replace Portage Pool, which is at the end of its life cycle and needs significant upgrades. The County currently leases the pool from Portage College, who will re-purpose the space for educational programming.
WHAT TYPE OF PROGRAMMING CAN I EXPECT?
Programming will be offered that reflects the needs and desires of the community. The New Aquatic Facility will be larger than the Portage Pool, as such the ability to offer more programs. The new amenities will also enable the delivery of new programs and opportunities.
WILL THERE BE DROP-IN LANE SWIMMING/FITNESS TIME?
With a larger space and additional pools there will be greater opportunities to schedule lane swimming and plans to create a schedule for fitness-focused times that meets these needs of the community.
WHAT WILL BE THE ADMISSION COSTS?
Our primary goal is to ensure that the community can access the New Aquatic Facility. The County will consider this when the new fees are set.
WHAT ARE THE OPERATING COSTS OF THE NEW AQUATIC FACILITY?
Part of the feasibility and development of the new Concept Plan was estimating operating cost, which will be very similar to the existing Portage Pool operating costs. This is mainly due to improved design, energy-efficient systems, greater anticipated usage, and heat reclaiming from the refrigeration system at the Bold Center.
WILL CONSTRUCTION AFFECT THE HOURS OF OPERATION FOR THE BOLD CENTER?
The construction of the new Aquatic Facility at the Bold Center will affect the programming and services of the facility, the Project Manager of the new Aquatic Facility is developing plans to work around the operations of the Bold Center. The public will receive notice of operational changes once a detailed schedule has been completed.
HOW WILL THIS AFFECT THE CHILD MIND CENTRE?
Part of the New Aquatic Facility development is providing a new space for Child Mind and Parent programming. Plans are being developed to provide a temporary location within the Bold Center for Child Mind and Parenting programming during construction.
WHERE SHOULD I DIRECT MY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROJECT?
You can email recreation@laclabichecounty.com with additional questions.
This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta.
Facebook