Cold Lake, AB – Residents are encouraged to share their ideas and feedback for the proposed future aquatics centre at the Cold Lake Energy Centre, as the City launches a community engagement campaign throughout the month of March.

“Prior to the 2021 municipal election, City Council announced it was moving forward with a new aquatics centre and allocated funding to begin the conceptual design development,” said Mayor Craig Copeland. “But before we move forward and sign off on any plans, we want the people of Cold Lake to weigh in and tell us what they’d like to see, what they don’t want to see, and what types of features are important to them and their families in this new facility.”

The City is hosting both virtual and in-person engagement opportunities to gather public feedback. An online survey is now open, asking residents what types of amenities they would like to see in a future aquatic facility, as well as whether the centre should be used to host events such as swim competitions and school swimming lessons. The survey is open from March 4 to 24 and a link is posted on the City’s website at www.coldlake.com/pool.

In addition to online engagement, residents are invited to provide their feedback and ask questions in person at the Energy Centre. An interactive booth will be set up with a representative from the architectural firm available to answer questions. The booth will be located in the main corridor on Monday, March 14 from 12 to 8 p.m.

“Residents have been telling us for years that a community aquatic centre is something they would very much like to have in Cold Lake; this is an opportunity to provide input on the features of this proposed facility which needs to be designed to serve the community for 30, 40, 50 years,” said Copeland. “We also need to recognize that this facility will not be cheap to build or operate and we will have to temper our own expectations. We want to make sure we get it right.”

- 30 -