On Saturday, July 6, the City of Welland will welcome its first swimmers of the summer to the newly renovated Memorial Park pool, located at 405 Memorial Park Drive. This landmark project revitalizes the city’s busiest outdoor public pool, originally constructed in the late 1950s.

Recognizing the critical need for modernization due to the facility’s age and condition, the City of Welland approved the appointment of architects Tillman Ruth Robinson to design the proposed improvements in 2021. The pool has been closed since (when in 2023) for work to be completed.

“We are incredibly excited to unveil the revitalized Memorial Park pool to our community,” said Jessica Ruddell, director of community services. “This project represents our commitment to providing top-tier recreational facilities that are inclusive, accessible, and designed to meet the needs of all our residents. We look forward to seeing families and individuals enjoy this state-of-the-art facility for many years to come.”

The new facility boasts a range of new features, including:

• A 50-metre lane swim area complete with an accessibility ramp
• A deep-end area with a diving board and climbing wall
• A zero-entry “beach” shallow area with play structures
• Teaching steps
• Shade and lounge areas
• Fully accessible washroom areas based on universal changeroom design
• Fully accessible external washrooms to service the nearby park and splash pad

Following comprehensive assessments in 2016 and 2020 identifying significant investment needs, Welland City Council approved design services to replace the pool in 2021.

Information about the grand opening event, scheduled for July 29, from 5 to 7 p.m., will be shared in the coming weeks. For the schedule of all City pools, please click here.