Kingston city council votes to enclose local water park, making it a year-round facility

The Culligan Water Park will see an enclosure built around it, next to the Memorial Centre, enabling it to remain open year-round.

The City of Kingston is set to spend millions of dollars to enclose a pool and waterpark next to the Memorial Centre.

City council voted Tuesday in favour of spending more than $25 million to ensure that the Culligan Water Park can run all year. The park currently runs for three months of the year, which is set to change.

Councillors voted based on information included in a report brought to council on Tuesday. The goal, outlined in the report, is to expand parks and recreation opportunities and participation.

Coun. Brandon Tozzo told Global News the city’s decision to fund the enclosure is a quick and easy way to get pools up and running while providing residents with the aquatic services they need.

“There’s a high need for pools, as any parent can attest to, especially for swimming lessons and aquafit lessons,” Tozzo said. “It was something that we could do quickly, something that was readily available and it’s something I think will greatly benefit (residents) in Kingscourt-Rideau.”

Around $5 million for the water park will be funded from the Municipal Capital Reserve Fund, $15 million from debt issuance and $5 million through development charges.

“It is anticipated that the operations of an enclosed facility would help to redirect some of the leisure swims and some programming needs from other facilities that are overwhelmed and regularly have waitlists,” the report reads.

It adds that, once enclosed, the water park would see an increase in operating costs, with the operating deficit going up to $1.3 million per year due to a need for more staffing and lifeguards.