The Aquarena is re-opening as the result of an injection of $600,000 from the provincial government and Memorial University.
The St. John’s facility, which features Newfoundland and Labrador’s only 50-metre pool, had been closed at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, but while other aquatic facilities in the province have since re-opened, the Aquarena remained closed.
Craig Neil, director of The Works, which runs the Aquarena, Memorial University Field House and other university recreation facilities, told The Telegram in early September that even with relaxed pandemic public-health guidelines, the limited permissible capacity meant it wasn’t financially feasible to keep the pool open. Neil said The Works is a break-even business that relies on a high volume of users to maintain that status.
Of the money announced today by Premier Andrew Furey, $400,000 is coming from the province via funding allocated through the COVID-19 contingency fund, complementing other emergency supports announced by the province and Ottawa.
A news release that followed today’s announcement said the funding will allow The Works to safely re-open the Aquarena pool to lessons and community and recreational swims by mid-October.
Not only is the Aquarena only 50-metre pool in the province, it is one of only three competitive pools in Atlantic Canada where national and international standards can be achieved.
The pool is the main training facility of the St. John’s Legends, Edge Diving Club and Sea Stars Artistic Swimming (Synchro) Club.
