Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre reopening pushed back after inspection finds deficiencies

The reopening of Saskatoon’s Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre has been delayed.

According to the City of Saskatoon, deficiencies were found during the process of inspecting and testing the centre’s pool, and the issues must be corrected before the pool can be tiled and finished. The issues – which were not detailed by the city – are currently being assessed by a contractor, but the city said it means the pool won’t reopen this fall as planned.

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The city said there’s currently no firm date for when the public can expect to return to the popular pool, but it is “currently projecting a winter opening.”

The aquatic centre on Idylwyld Drive, which was built in 1976, has been closed to the public for renovation since 2023. While early cost estimates for the project came in at $13.5 million, the total budget has ballooned to $29,982,700.

The city described the work as “a major renewal project” which will modernize aquatic and building systems, improve accessibility and ensure the facility remains sustainable well into the future.

“While we know this update is disappointing for residents and user groups who have been looking forward to the reopening of Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre, it is important that the remaining work be completed properly before the facility opens,” Dan Willems, Saskatoon’s director of technical services, said in a statement.

“We appreciate the patience of clubs, user groups and the community as we work toward reopening the facility.”