The City of Yellowknife has long recognized the importance of recreation as a cornerstone of community well-being. For decades, the Ruth Inch Memorial Pool (RIMP) was the city’s aquatic hub, but demand consistently exceeded capacity. Grant White, Director of Community Services, explained the challenge in stark terms. “For each of the swimming program sessions offered there was typically a waiting list ranging from 300-350 which equated to between 900-1,050 individuals on a waiting list annually. Staff at the RIMP maximized the usage of the facility to address the capacity issue as much as possible. Through creative use of the five lanes and lagoon area various uses of the pool were combined at one time.”
By 2012, the City’s Asset Management Plan confirmed that the pool was nearing the end of its life expectancy. The conclusion was clear: Yellowknife needed to either expand or replace its aquatic facility. This decision became a civic priority, setting the stage for what would ultimately become one of the city’s most ambitious recreation projects.
The process of defining what a new aquatic centre should be began in earnest in 2018, when the City allocated $75,000 for public consultation. The Aquatic Centre Advisory Committee (ACAC) was formed, with representatives spanning City Council, the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, the business community, seniors, youth, and persons with disabilities. “Through a series of public engagement opportunities including on-line surveys and public open houses, the ACAC and the consulting team received important comments and feedback on the components desired from the community on what to include in an aquatic centre,” said White. “These comments and feedback were compiled and deliberated on by the ACAC with the result being the Aquatic Centre Pre-Design Report which was submitted and adopted by Council.”
Designing the new facility became a collaborative exercise that reflected the city’s values. Indigenous design features are prominent, from the Dene Flowers and Metis Sash mosaic tiles in the natatorium to the medicine wheel motif in the lobby. Sustainability was another guiding principle. “The Aquatic Centre is designed with an emphasis on sustainability, following an energy model which places the facility 15% above the National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings,” White noted. “Features like a regenerative filtration system, a leading-edge full stream UV system, and a pellet boiler as the first source of heat minimize energy consumption and reduce the facility’s environmental impact.”
Accessibility was equally critical. The new centre includes ramps leading into pools, an elevator, universal change rooms, an aquatic wheelchair, and adult change tables. “The Aquatic Centre is an inclusive facility, with a range of features to accommodate families and individuals with accessibility needs. Diversity, equity and safety are among our top priorities. Our staff is committed to ensuring everyone, regardless of ability or limitations, can enjoy our facility,” said White.
Funding such a significant undertaking required a multi-pronged strategy. The City successfully applied to the Government of the Northwest Territories for a $12.9 million grant under the Build Canada Fund, which required a $4.3 million municipal contribution. Additional funding came from the GNWT’s Greenhouse Gas Funding Program and a public referendum to borrow $10 million. “The remaining funds were comprised of Formula Funding, Gas Tax Rebate and Reserves,” White explained.
The project was guided through multiple phases of planning and consultation, with Stantec assisting in the initial community engagement. Taylor Architect Group developed the concept design, while Colliers Project Leaders served as project managers. Ultimately, Clark Builders was selected as the design-builder. “Taylor Architect Group remained on the project throughout as the City’s representative to provide key architectural and engineering input and advice,” said White.
The finished facility represents a leap forward for Yellowknife. While the old pool offered five lanes and limited amenities, the new Aquatic Centre features a three-lane leisure pool, an eight-lane lap pool, therapy pool, lazy river, splash pad, steam room, large waterslide, diving boards, multipurpose rooms, and revenue-generating lease spaces. Indigenous art and design flow throughout the building, connecting the space to the community’s cultural roots.
For youth, seniors, and athletes alike, the new centre brings opportunities that were previously out of reach. “The 25 meter 8 lane pool includes key components for a successful meet that includes touch pads and a large format score clock tied to the starting/timing system. The Aquatic Centre exceeds the RIMP in these capacities which now provides the opportunity for the Polar Bear Swim Club to host larger regional events,” White said. Seniors and youth were directly represented in the advisory process, ensuring that the facility’s features address their needs.
Building such a large facility in the North was not without its challenges. The most significant disruption, however, came in 2023. “The biggest event that affected the project was the 2023 Wildfire Evacuation Order that was issued on August 16, 2023 and lasted approximately 22 days. The impacts to the project were substantial including both schedule and costs,” said White.
Despite these hurdles, the project was delivered, and anticipation built steadily across Yellowknife. “Many were shocked at the magnitude of the building once inside. The open vistas within, the colours and design all garnered many positive comments which continued to this day,” White said of the opening in May 2025.
Looking forward, the aquatic centre is expected to play a central role in the city’s quality of life, complementing existing amenities such as ice surfaces, gymnasiums, climbing walls, and extensive outdoor recreation spaces. “The Aquatic Centre is one of several amenities within the community that enhance the experience of living and being in Yellowknife,” White said. “An abundance of recreation, arts, culture and sporting organization all play a part in providing a great quality of life for these opportunities to those interested in these pursuits.”
To learn more, please visit www.yellowknife.ca/en/getting-active/aquatic-centre.aspx
