After more than a decade of planning, the new Strathcona Gardens Aquatic Centre is officially complete — although swimmers will have to wait a few more weeks before taking their first dip.

The Strathcona Regional District celebrated the milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday, attended by First Nations representatives, community partners and facility user groups.

The event also included a blessing from the Ligwiltach Elders and Youth Culture Group.

“This is about much more than the completion of a new building." said Strathcona Gardens Commission Chair Susan Sinnott.

"It is about creating a place where people of every age and ability can come together to swim, compete, rehabilitate, learn, play and most importantly, build community,”

The new facility includes an eight-lane, 25-metre lap pool with a one-metre springboard and climbing wall.

It also features a leisure pool with beach entry, a children’s splash area and lazy river, along with wellness and hot pools, a sauna and steam room.

A waterslide is also planned, while universal and accessible change facilities and other improvements have been incorporated throughout the building.

Construction began in September 2024, with the Regional District saying the project was delivered on time and on budget.

The pools are not open to the public yet.

The Regional District is waiting for the required Island Health operating permits while employees complete final preparations and specialized lifeguard training.

Residents will have an opportunity to look around before the water opens, with public tours beginning October 13.

Visitors will be permitted to take photographs and videos during the tours, although electronic devices will not be allowed in the pool area once the facility becomes operational.

Registration for the tours opens Monday, October 5, at srd.ca/SGTours.

The Aquatic Centre is scheduled to welcome swimmers for the first time October 29.

Completion of the pool marks a major milestone in the broader REC-REATE project, but more work is still ahead at Strathcona Gardens.

The former pool area will now be converted into a new Fitness and Wellness Centre featuring expanded fitness space, dedicated areas for physiotherapy and rehabilitation, new change rooms and improvements to reception, social and multipurpose spaces.

That portion of the project is expected to be completed in the summer of 2027.

Phase Two will include construction of a third arena, expanded parking and improvements to access around the recreation complex.

That work is anticipated to be completed in 2029.

Additional information about the Aquatic Centre and the REC-REATE project is available at Strathcona Gardens Aquatic Centre.