County of Brant weighs $37M to $49M options for future indoor pool

Casandra Turnbull

Managing Editor

Councillors ask staff to explore alternatives to new aquatic centre, citing Brave Waves

A long-discussed indoor swimming pool in the County of Brant could cost between $37.6 million and $48.6 million to build, prompting councillors to ask staff to look beyond a traditional aquatic centre for ways to address growing demand for year-round swimming.

County councillors received an updated indoor pool feasibility study during the Sept. 15 Administration and Operations Committee meeting, outlining three potential concepts for a standalone aquatic facility at the future Pottruff Road Park.

The project is currently included near the end of the county's 2026-2035 capital forecast, with design and engineering contemplated for 2034 and construction in 2035. The existing long-term financial plan carries a $25-million estimate for the project, considerably below the latest preliminary estimates. 

The least expensive concept is estimated at $37.6 million and includes a six-lane, 25-metre pool and separate leisure pool. A second option adds larger community space for an estimated $41.8 million, while an eight-lane competition pool, leisure pool and community space is estimated at $48.6 million. 

The concepts range from about 32,900 to 45,200 square feet. The feasibility study recommends a standalone facility that could accommodate swimming lessons, recreational and lane swimming, aquatic fitness, therapeutic programming and competitive swimming. 

But the numbers presented to councillors are based on 2026 estimates, meaning the eventual cost could be higher by the time the project moves forward.

Coun. Steve Howes said there is no question an indoor pool remains a significant issue in the community.

“I appreciated the report and know it’s a hot topic in our community. There’s lots of demand,” said Howes.

Howes asked staff when a municipality typically reaches the population needed to financially support an indoor pool.

“I’m wondering based on your experience and analysis of other communities, what’s typically the tipping point in population for when an indoor pool starts to become feasible for the tax base,” Howes asked.

General manager of community services Phil Mete said a population of about 50,000 is generally the point at which municipalities begin considering such facilities.

“Typically, 50,000 population is the magic number when most municipalities start moving towards an indoor pool. When we loot at it froM the county’s perspective, we are looking at feeder communities, that’s definitely factored in. so I think the timing in the 10-year capital is good.”

Mete said bringing the report forward now also gives the community and future councils information to consider as the county grows.

“A big reason we brought this forward is because we knew it was a big discussion in the last couple of consultations we’ve done and we figured it would be good for existing council members running again and new members out there looking to run to have the information for discussion… because it is a huge topic.” 

Recent county consultations have shown continued interest in an indoor pool. During engagement for the Brant Sports Complex expansion, 51.9 per cent of more than 1,100 survey respondents strongly believed an indoor pool should be a priority. Residents also reported difficulty accessing swimming lessons in neighbouring municipalities, with some travelling as far as Woodstock. 

Howes asked whether the county could pursue interim partnerships with neighbouring municipalities while waiting for a permanent facility.

Ellins said the county has done so in the past.

“I know we’ve been put in this position before when our previous outdoor pool closed we did work with the city of Brantford on a partnership situation where we subsidized swimming lessons for those who used the Wayne Gretzky Centre.”

She said it would be worth examining neighbouring municipalities' available capacity. Howes noted residents have told him they have encountered waiting lists elsewhere as municipalities prioritize their own residents. 

Coun. John Bell questioned whether waiting until 2035 was the right approach, particularly as costs continue to climb.

“The price range was $37 - $48 million. Do you have a preferred model?”

Mete said staff believe the second option — estimated at roughly $42 million in 2026 dollars — may best reflect community interest, although further public consultation would be required before a final decision is made. 

Bell pointed to the report's description of municipal indoor pools as vital social infrastructure.

“Which in my mind this is a need more than a want.”

Mete highlighted swimming lessons, exercise and therapeutic programming as benefits of a facility.

“We have two rivers running through the town of Paris. We need to make sure people are safe.” 

While Bell acknowledged the cost of a new facility, he pushed staff to investigate less expensive ways to provide year-round swimming sooner, including whether the existing outdoor pool at Lions Park could be covered.

“It’s great that we explore all options out there because $42 million is a lot of money,” noted Bell. 

On the Lions Park conversion piece, there is site constraints. Mete cited challenges including the site's grading, Grand River Conservation Authority constraints, parking and limited deck space, accessibility during winter months, among other concerns staff have already investigated. Although he said other communities have explored retrofits and similar approaches. 

Bell also pointed to the privately operated Brave Waves Swim School on Rest Acres Road as an example of a potentially smaller-scale model and suggested the county consider whether a facility designed primarily to address immediate swimming needs could be delivered for less than a full aquatic centre.

Bell said he would like staff to “open their minds a bit” to alternatives, arguing there is an immediate need that could potentially be met at a lower cost.

Coun. John MacAlpine asked about capacity at Brave Waves and was told the facility is full, while Coun. Brian Coleman noted council had considered a report involving Brave Waves several years ago.

Bell said circumstances have changed since then, with both construction costs and demand increasing.

Coun. John Peirce supported investigating other approaches, saying “thinking outside the box is absolutely the right idea because everybody should have an opportunity to learn how to swim.” 

The staff report recommends incorporating enough space into the Pottruff Road Park site plan to accommodate an aquatic facility in the future, while leaving the final concept, scope and location to further community consultation and a needs assessment anticipated in 2031 or 2032. 

Indoor pools also carry significant ongoing costs. Based on comparable municipal facilities, county staff estimate an indoor aquatic facility could have an average annual net operating cost of about $500,000, depending on its size, programming, fees and revenues. 

Committee ultimately supported the report with an amendment calling for staff to review alternative ideas in addition to the proposed construction of a new aquatic facility.