Premier Makes Splash with Investment for Aquatic Centre

Windsor area residents of all ages will soon be splashing their way to healthier lives thanks to a $400,000 investment by the province toward the new $1.2-million Hants Aquatic Centre.

The announcement was made by Premier Rodney MacDonald and Ron Russell, Minister of Immigration and Human Resources, today, April 18, at the Hants County War Memorial Community Centre in Windsor.

When complete, the Hants Aquatic Centre will replace the Windsor Centennial Outdoor Pool that has served the community for almost 40 years.

"Investing in a community pool is just one way we are enabling Nova Scotians to become physically active," said Premier MacDonald. "We are committed to providing all Nova Scotians with more opportunities to live healthier lives."

The Hants Aquatic Centre will be a combined junior Olympic and leisure pool with a surface area of 450 square metres (5,000 square feet). It will serve the more than 17,000 citizens of Windsor and West Hants. It will also become the home of the Windsor Bluefins Swim Club, which is the fourth largest swim club in the province.

"The new Hants Aquatic Centre facility will not simply be a pool but a destination place," said Janet Landry, director of recreation for the Town of Windsor and member of the Hants Aquatic Centre Society. "Soon community members of all ages and abilities will enjoy the benefits of a well-designed, accessible, and user-friendly aquatic centre."

"The people of Windsor have once again recognized a need in the community and have set about a plan to meet it," said Mr. Russell. "We are enthusiastic to encourage and support such community efforts. This is an opportunity to contribute toward a new attitude of healthy living."

Construction of the project is dependent upon further funding but is tentatively scheduled to begin this summer, with the grand opening in the spring of 2007.