By Erika Chorostil

$7.5 million federal grant moved project forward

Construction breaks ground on new Drayton Valley/Brazeau Aquatic Facility

Apr 22, 2021 | 1:35 PM

The ground has officially been broken for the new Drayton Valley/Brazeau Aquatic Facility.

On April 21, Drayton Valley-Devon MLA Mark Smith, Drayton Valley Mayor Michael Doerksen, Brazeau County Reeve Bart Guyon, and members of both Town and County Council were present for the official groundbreaking near the Omniplex. Town of Drayton Valley Acting CAO Annette Driessen, as well as members of the DVB Aquatic Committee, were also in attendance.

The groundbreaking of the new facility comes after the community received a $7,584,956 Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program grant from the federal government last August.

This is in addition to a $5 million commitment from both the town and the County from their 2020 budgets, as well as many community sponsorships. The anticipated cost of the aquatic facility is $21,241,319.

The new 27,000 square foot facility will feature an 8 lane, 25-metre lap pool, leisure pool and lazy river, hot tub, steam room, multi-purpose room, and support spaces, as well as a potential future waterslide. The new pool will also be dimensional and outfitted to suit regional and Canadian competition standards with a large viewing area.

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The Town of Drayton Valley says the aquatic facility is a key component of council’s goals of economic growth, sense of community, and building a sustainable future. The town anticipates an increase in construction jobs through the building phase, using local contractors where possible, and long-term aquatic positions will be added once the pool is operational. The new pool is expected to increase annual attendance from 86,000 to 116,600, leading to increased economic activity for businesses and retailers.

The town adds the new facility has been designed to reduce operational costs by focusing on energy optimization that meets the 2017 National Energy Code for Buildings (NECB), making it energy efficient and further contributing to cost savings in the building.

Construction of the new Drayton Valley/Brazeau Aquatic Facility is expected to take approximately 18 months, with a projected opening date in the fall of 2022.

Following the completion of the new facility, Park Valley Pool will close, and operations will cease. The town says the structural integrity of Park Valley Pool’s building remains exceptional and consideration will be given to its future use. Officials say the splash pad in Rotary Park will remain operational once the new pool is completed.