Skip to Content

Live: Council Webcast

  • Emergency Police, Fire, Medical Call: 9-1-1
  • Police: 867-669-1111
  • Fire & Medical: 867-873-2222
  • A-Z Services

City of Yellowknife Logo City of Yellowknife Logo

Contact Us
  • Living Here
    • Animals
    • Applications, Forms, Licences and Permits
    • Arts, Culture, and Heritage
    • Business Directory
    • Career Opportunities
    • CityExplorer (Interactive Maps)
    • Click and Fix YK
    • Community Programs
    • Composting
    • Construction
    • Contact Directory
    • Education
    • Elections
    • Emergency and Power Outage information
    • Environment
    • Events Calendar
    • Garbage
    • Health Services
    • Homelessness
    • Indigenous Peoples
    • Life Events
    • Manage Utility Tax Accounts
    • Parking
    • Pay All Tickets
    • Pingstreet Mobile App
    • Places of Worship
    • PlaceSpeak - Public Engagement Platform
    • Programs
    • Property Search
    • Property Taxes and Assessments
    • Public Library
    • Public Safety
    • Recycling
    • Roads and Transportation
    • Seniors
    • Slow Down Campaign
    • Snow Removal
    • Support and Wellness
    • Transit
    • Water and Sewer
    • Weather and Climate
    • World Council on City Data (WCCD)
    • Yellowknife Videos
  • Getting Active
    • Programs
    • Parks and Outdoors
    • Events
    • Facilities
  • Exploring Yellowknife
    • About Yellowknife
    • Arts, Culture, and Heritage
    • Aurora Forecast
    • Extraordinary Yellowknife
    • Farmers Market
    • Foodies
    • How to Get Here
    • GIS
    • Promotional Videos
    • Self Guided Tours
    • Shop Local Initiatives
    • Visitors Guide
    • Yellowknife Tourism Links
  • Doing Business
    • Applications, Forms, Licenses and Permits
    • Available Properties
    • Bids and Tenders
    • BizPaL
    • Business Directory
    • Business Resources and Services
    • CityExplorer (Interactive Maps)
    • Design Standards
    • Development Incentives
    • Economic Development Initiatives
    • Filming
    • Open Data
    • Planning and Development Initiatives
    • Promotional Campaigns
    • Property Taxes
    • Public Engagement
    • Short Term Rental Accommodation
    • Tourism Development
    • Trademarks
    • University
    • Water and Sewer
    • Why Yellowknife
    • World Council on City Data (WCCD)
  • City Government
    • About City of Yellowknife
    • Bids and Tenders
    • By-laws
    • Career Opportunities
    • City Budget
    • City Council and Mayor
    • Committees of Council
    • Community Grants
    • Community Organizations
    • Complaints
    • Contact Directory
    • Departments
    • Elections
    • Facility Hours and Locations
    • Indigenous Relations
    • Media Room
    • Open Data
    • Policies
    • Public Notices
    • Reports and Publications
    • Virtual City Hall
    • Volunteering
    • Webcast Video
    • World Council on City Data (WCCD)
    • Yellowknife 50th Anniversary
  • Newcomer
    • Education
    • Housing
    • Yellowknife Videos

Default Banner

New Aquatic Centre FAQ

Home...FacilitiesNew Aquatic CentreNew Aquatic Centre FAQ
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

Since November 2016, the City has been exploring the replacement of the Ruth Inch Memorial Pool with a proposed Aquatic Centre. Here are answers to some FAQs on the proposed Aquatic Centre project. 

What do I need to know before voting in the Aquatic Centre borrowing referendum? 

Here is key information on the project ahead of the November 23, 2021 borrowing referendum, and here is a timeline of the project so far.

What will be included in the proposed Aquatic Centre?

In 2018 and 2020, the City consulted with user groups, stakeholders and the public to hear what they wanted in an aquatic centre. Based on this feedback, the RFP is requesting design proposals to build an aquatic centre that incorporates the following:

  • 25 metre, 8 lane lap pool
  • 1 metre and 3 metre springboards
  • Leisure Pool
  • Beach entry shallow area
  • Lazy river
  • Play features
  • Large amusement park style water slide
  • Hot tub
  • Steam room
  • Splash pad
  • Therapy pool
  • Spectator viewing area
  • Canteen area
  • Office/administrative space

Further details of the planned facility are available in the proposed Aquatic Centre Concept Design Report.  

What will the Aquatic Centre look like?

The proposed Aquatic Centre is in the Concept Design phase. Below are conceptual images and videos of how the proposed Aquatic Centre could look.

Conceptual Images Yellowknife Aquatic Centre

Who would build the proposed Aquatic Centre?

A Request for Qualifications was issued by the City in June 2021. Based on responses to these expressions of interest, three companies were identified as having the interest, resources, and qualifications to successfully complete the project. In July , 2021, the City issued a request for proposals for a design-build of the proposed Aquatic Centre. These companies are Bird Construction Group, Clark Builders, and PCL Construction Management Inc. All pre-qualified companies are located in either Yellowknife, NT or Edmonton, AB. In September 2021, the City selected the design-build proposal of Clark Builders. Their proposal is costed at $67,735,329 excluding GST

When will the proposed Aquatic Centre be built?

If a majority of eligible voters vote in favour of the City borrowing to fund a portion of the construction cost, the City will enter into an agreement with Clark Builders, and work on the proposed Aquatic Centre will begin in 2022. The proposed Aquatic Centre is scheduled to be completed by September 2024.

What will happen to the Ruth Inch Memorial Pool?

The Ruth Inch Memorial Pool will remain open until the proposed aquatic centre is completed and opened in 2024. During the construction of a proposed Aquatic Centre, the City would assess the RIMP to determine the future of the facility.

How much will the proposed Aquatic Centre cost?

In September 2021, the City selected the design-build proposal of Clark Builders. Their proposal is costed at $67,735,329 excluding GST. The City must borrow $10,001,000 to fund its contribution.

How likely is it that the cost of construction will increase?

The City is undertaking a Design-Build construction methodology for the development of the Aquatic Centre. What this means is that one entity — the design-build team — works under a single contract with the City to design and build the Aquatic Centre. Accountability resides with the single contractor to meet timelines and budgets, is more efficient, and costs are less likely to escalate. The budget is identified and finalized during the design phase, therefore the City — and residents — are aware and approve of the cost before construction begins.

Will the Aquatic Centre cause taxes to go up?

Annual municipal taxes are expected to increase by an estimated 1.27% to cover the annual operation and maintenance costs of the proposed Aquatic Centre, once the facility is open.

How will we pay for the Aquatic Centre? 

The  Aquatic Centre will be paid for using a combination of federal and municipal sources:

Federal

  • Small Communities Fund (New Building Canada Fund)
  • Formula Funding
  • Gas Tax Funding

Municipal

  • Community Public Infrastructure Funding
  • Capital Fund
  • Major Community Facility Reserve
  • Borrowing

For detailed information on the Aquatic Centre Funding and Total Anticipated Debt Load click here.

How much will the City have to borrow?

Given funding available from federal and territorial sources, the City will need to borrow only a small proportion of the funds needed to build the proposed Aquatic Centre. The City must borrow $10,001,000 to fund its contribution.

Residents of Yellowknife will be asked to vote, in a referendum in November 2021, on whether to approve borrowing by the City. A majority of voters must vote to support the referendum to enable the City to borrow the required funds.

Why is this money not being spent on other needs? Homelessness, housing, infrastructure, etc.

The City receives funding from various sources for particular uses. For example, the City currently receives funds from the Federal Reaching Home – Canada’s Homelessness Strategy fund, which is used to address homelessness in Yellowknife. The proposed Aquatic Centre will not affect the funding the City is receiving for other projects.

Funding from federal sources has been secured specifically for the construction of the proposed Aquatic Centre. If the City does not proceed to build the proposed Aquatic Centre, we will lose approximately $13 million secured through the Building Canada Fund; the funding cannot be reallocated to other City priorities.

How do I vote?

To vote, eligible voters must cast their vote through a mail-in ballot. Ballots must be received by the City by 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 23, 2021, and may be returned by pre-paid mail, dropped off at City Hall or taken to one of two Voter Assistance locations on November 23, 2021. For all voting information, visit www.yellowknife.ca/Referendum.

 What happens after the referendum?

If a majority of eligible voters vote in favour of the City borrowing to fund a portion of the construction cost, the City will enter into an agreement with Clark Builders, and work on the proposed Aquatic Centre will begin in 2022.

If a majority of eligible voters vote against the City borrowing to fund a portion of the construction cost, work on the proposed Aquatic Centre will not move forward and the City will need to explore ways to extend the life of the Ruth Inch Memorial Pool and make the facility accessible in line with new legislation.

How can we find more information about the proposed Aquatic Centre?

The latest information on the proposed Aquatic Centre is available and frequently updated on the City website www.yellowknife.ca/AquaticCentre. The City will be providing updates to the media, stakeholders, and residents through a variety of platforms (website, social media, signage, advertising, Capital Update, fact sheets, etc.) as the development of the aquatic centre evolves. Have questions? Email AquaticCentre@yellowknife.ca.

All media inquiries can be directed to communications@yellowknife.ca. 

  • Facilities
    Toggle Section Facilities Menu
    • Admission and Passes
    • Availability and Bookings
    • Fieldhouse
      Toggle Section Fieldhouse Menu
      • Availability and Bookings
      • Climbing Wall and Play Area
      • Fieldhouse Rules and Safety
    • Multiplex
      Toggle Section Multiplex Menu
      • Availability and Bookings
      • Skating
        Toggle Section Skating Menu
        • Outdoor Ice Rinks
        • Skating Rules and Safety
    • New Aquatic Centre
      Toggle Section New Aquatic Centre Menu
      • New Aquatic Centre Current Situation and Next Steps
      • New Aquatic Centre Design Plan
      • New Aquatic Centre FAQ
      • New Aquatic Centre Project History
      • Referendum
    • Public Library
    • Ruth Inch Memorial Pool
      Toggle Section Ruth Inch Memorial Pool Menu
      • Admission and Passes
      • Pool Rentals
      • Pool Schedule
      • Rules and Safety
      • Lessons and Programs
      • Working at the Pool
    • Schools, Gymnasiums and Fields
    • Ski Chalet
    • Yellowknife Community Arena
  • View Full Getting Active Menu
    Toggle Section
    • Programs
      Toggle Section Programs Menu
      • Admission and Passes
      • Programs and Registration
        Toggle Section Programs and Registration Menu
        • Aquatics
        • Child and Youth
        • Summer Camp
        • Drop-in Programs
        • Family
        • Instructor Opportunities
        • New Programs
        • Preschool
        • Teen and Adult
      • Drop-in Programs
      • Community Programs
        Toggle Section Community Programs Menu
        • Access for All
        • Adopt-A-Street
      • Skating
        Toggle Section Skating Menu
        • Outdoor Ice Rinks
        • Skating Rules and Safety
        • Skating Schedule
      • Swimming
    • Parks and Outdoors
      Toggle Section Parks and Outdoors Menu
      • Commemorative Benches
      • Cycling
        Toggle Section Cycling Menu
        • Bicycle Routes
      • Off-leash Dog areas
      • Outdoor Ice Rinks
      • Parks and Playgrounds
      • Snowboarding and Skiing
      • Somba K'e Civic Plaza
      • Sports Fields and Courts
      • Tobogganing
      • Trails
    • Events
      Toggle Section Events Menu
      • Special Events
        Toggle Section Special Events Menu
        • New Year's Eve Fireworks
        • Santa Claus Parade
        • Pumpkin Lane
      • Event Guide
      • Community Group
      • Volunteers
      • Events Calendar

Contact Us

Subscribe to page updates

City of Yellowknife Footer logo

4807 - 52 Street, P.O. Box 580,
Yellowknife, NT, X1A 2N4
Tel: 867-920-5600

  • Living Here
  • Getting Active
  • Exploring Yellowknife
  • Doing Business
  • City Government
  • Newcomer
twitter:d67fd7f6-1a0a-4b39-a73b-0aa0582e8d57

© 2022 City of Yellowknife

PrivacySitemapFeedbackIntranetContact UsHours of OperationCouncil Portal
By GHD Digital
Follow Us: View our Twitter Page View our Instagram Page View our Facebook Page View our YouTube Page

Browser Compatibility Notification

It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.