The new Battlefords Co-op Aquatic Centre is now officially open.
Dignitaries cut the ribbon Saturday at a grand opening of the new facility. It is the first of the four components of the Credit Union CUPlex to officially open for business.
It was a day long in coming for supporters of the CUPlex including Mayor Ian Hamilton, who couldn't hold back the emotion in his remarks to the crowd and to reporters afterwards.
"What a day. It's been a long time," said a teary-eyed Hamilton when he spoke to the approximately 100 people gathered.
When the mayor asked the crowd what they thought of the new aquatic centre, he drew cheers.
The facility features a six-lane pool, large wave pool, lazy river, two water slides, a hot tub and a steam room. It is considerable larger than the old Kinsmen Aquatic Centre, which hosted its final swimmers Sept. 12.
Hamilton said, "everybody here recognizes and sees what is being built here. This is one component of something that is drawing the whole community together. People are seeing it now and recognizing it and feeling it."
Tribute was paid to longtime city employee Bill Henderson. He had worked in various capacities at the old Kinsmen Aquatic Centre, rising to the post of swim pool manager before retiring in 1992.
Henderson now is being cared for at Battlefords Regional Care and could not be at the grand opening, but his wife Alice Henderson was there to help hold the ribbon alongside several dignitaries to officially open the new aquatic centre.
The opening of the facility concludes years of debate and planning, including construction work by contractor Jen-Col Construction Ltd. that spanned almost two years.
Keith Anderson, parks and recreation director, noted the construction period was challenging, with Jen-Col surviving "one of the coldest winters ever" as well as storms, wind chill, a ground-water issue and subcontractor issues.
"It's been a long and winding road getting to this day," Anderson said. "You'll realize it's all worth every minute of effort."
Over the past few weeks, staff have been transitioning to the new facility.
Anderson said manager Jodi Hargreaves and the staff had been spending hours fitting up the new pool, moving and training the lifeguards.
The opening of the new aquatic centre kicks off what is a big week for the Credit Union CUPlex. The CTV Home Town Tour will be broadcasting outside the new Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts Wednesday, and then four days of grand opening performances at the new Dekker Centre kick off on Thursday night with a concert entitled "Celebrations,"
Next month the new Northland Power Curling Centre officially opens, while late November is the target date for completion of the BTC Field House.
On hand for the opening ceremonies at the Aquatic Centre were those closely involved in fundraising for the new CUPlex, including Raise the Roof fundraising co-chairs Rob Rongve and Heath Gabruch. Both had led efforts to raise $10 million from the community.
"It's overwhelming for us," Rongve told reporters.
He was impressed with the new aquatic centre and said the new facility "blows you away. It's something everybody will be proud of for decades."
A major contributor to the new aquatic centre was Battlefords and District Co-op who paid $750,000 for the naming rights. The Co-op also supplied free food for the celebratory pancake breakfast that morning, as well as hot dogs in the afternoon.
While Hamilton couldn't hold back his tears, Battlefords Co-op general manager Pat Smith could not contain his excitement at seeing the new facility open.
"This is absolutely incredible," said Smith, who added the facility will be a major attraction.
"I am just so excited. I am looking forward to a continued partnership in making this facility the most successful one in the province and the country."
