The community of Thompson is celebrating a major milestone: the approval of the construction contract for the new Thompson Regional Aquatic Centre. With a price tag of approximately $42.6 million, the project has been a long time in the making, but it's finally set to move forward.
The city council awarded the construction contract to Penn-Co Construction Canada, and work is expected to begin on May 1. The new facility will feature a six-lane, 25-metre pool with one accessible lane, as well as a beach-entry recreational pool and a sauna. It's expected to take two years to complete, but the community is already buzzing with excitement about what the new facility will mean for the city.
One of the early celebrations of the project was the Splash Bash fundraiser, which sold out tickets and brought the community together for a night of fun and fundraising. The event was held at the Royal Canadian Legion, and attendees enjoyed live music from Smitty and Friends while supporting the Thompson Regional Community Pool Project.
The fundraiser was dedicated to covering the expenses of the coming aquatic facility, and it was a huge success. The community rallied around the project, showing their support and enthusiasm for the new pool.
Mayor Colleen Smook expressed her excitement for the project, saying, "Those of us on council and Thompson residents as a whole have been waiting for this day for a long time and I am thrilled that construction of the Thompson Regional Aquatic Centre is set to move ahead."
The new aquatic centre will be stationed next to the Thompson Regional Community Centre, and it promises to be a game-changer for the community. It will provide a safe and accessible space for people of all ages to stay active, learn to swim, and improve their overall fitness. It's an important investment in the health and well-being of the community, and it's clear that the community is ready to dive in and make a splash.
With the construction contract approved and the fundraising efforts of events like Splash Bash, the community of Thompson is poised to enjoy a new era of aquatic recreation. The new aquatic centre will be a source of pride and joy for years to come, and it's a testament to what can be achieved when a community comes together to support a common cause.
~Matthias J. Johnson is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Thompson Citizen. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
