DELTA City Council has approved the schematic design for the new Winskill Aquatic and Fitness Centre, marking a significant milestone in this transformative project. With this approval, the project now moves into the detailed design phase—an essential step before Council makes a final decision on construction, which is anticipated to commence by the end of 2025.
“This is an exciting stage as we begin to see the community’s vision for this facility take shape,” said Delta Mayor George V. Harvie on Tuesday. “A project of this scale involves balancing a range of community interests, and Council is encouraged to see so many of the features prioritized by residents and user groups reflected in the design of the new aquatic and fitness centre, as well as in the proposed layout for the surrounding park.”
The schematic design for the new aquatic centre reveals exciting details about the enhanced facility, says the City. At approximately 1,300 square metres, the new pool area is twice the size of the current one, offering significantly more access and exciting new amenities. Key features include a 10-lane, 25-metre lap pool for training, and a separate, warmer teach pool with four additional lanes for lessons or therapeutic use.
The expanded wellness area will feature a larger hot tub, sauna, steam room, and a cold plunge pool. A spacious leisure pool offers maximum fun with exciting play equipment, a lazy river, and a water slide and offers a beach-style entry. All pool tanks include ramps to ensure accessibility for all ages and abilities. Additionally, the second-floor fitness space, consists of 560 m², more than doubling the existing space and accessible by two elevators.
Council was also updated on the plans for the surrounding park, which include enhancements for the community such as a welcoming community plaza at the facility’s entrance and a partial pinwheel design for the reconfigured ballpark, which will ultimately include four ball diamonds. Parking capacity will increase to between 250-275 spaces, up from the current 140 stalls. Pedestrians will benefit from a new perimeter pathway that safely connects them to the aquatic centre. The site plan also highlights areas designated for tree replanting, with further details to come as the reforestation plan is finalized.
Building on the engagement that informed the schematic design, the City says it is committed to continue robust consultation to ensure final plans for the facility and park upgrades meet the needs of the growing community. Details about opportunities to get involved in the detailed design will be shared in early 2025.
Residents are invited to register at letstalk.delta.ca for updates directly to their inbox or stay informed through local newspapers and the City’s social media channels. The Council Report and schematic design are available to review in detail at delta.civicweb.net/document/234143.
To view the schematic design for the aquatics layout, visit letstalk.delta.ca/Winskill.
