The Town of Oxbow/Enniskillen Recreation Board and the Swimming Pool Committee have announced that construction of the long-awaited swimming pool will begin in July.
"The pool is entering its 45th year of operation," shared Tami Scott, Community Development Officer, "so it's definitely put in its time. Right now we're having challenges with frost and that sort of thing. every summer we have to wait and see what kind of shape the pool walls are in. We've really been holding our breath for the past couple years. It's reached the end of its life."
"The pool is going to be a six-lane junior Olympic leisure pool. And it will have, off the side of it, a separate hot pool. The total surface is about 4,700 square feet."
"We specifically included a zero entry for ease of getting into it for kids and adults who might have disabilities."
The pool will also feature a diving area.
"Construction will start in July this summer and then we expect it to be completed by June 15th, 2019. So we'll have a little bit of a late start on our season next summer but I think it will be well worth it for a brand new facility."
"The pool is going to change locations. Right now the old pool is in the centre of town right by our skating rink. It's going to move out to a new area that we've designated for recreation development. It's right beside our Memorial Hall, just off from there."
The Swimming Pool Committee has already reached $800,000 of their $1.8 million goal.
"They have done so much work on this. Now, keep in mind that they've been working on this project since 2010. They've done a lot of corporate fundraising, grant writing. Every year they host a really successful Lobersterfest which has been a really critical part of raising money for the new pool. They've sold tickets, they've done everything you can to get as much money as you can from this community and the surrounding communities."
She mentioned that the residents of Oxbow, Alameda, Glen Ewen and surrounding area are looking forward to the new facility.
"People that have heard about it are really excited. We've been talking about it so long and they have seen the Swimming Pool Committee work so hard towards this goal that everybody's very congratulatory to that group of people."
Sat, Apr 20, 8:00 AM
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