Residents enjoyed Wilkie’s new $3.2-million outdoor swimming pool during its first season in August 2025. (Submitted/Lori Fenrich)

By Kenneth Cheung

NEW DEVELOPMENT

Wilkie’s $3.2M pool makes a splash despite short first season

Aug 28, 2025 | 1:00 PM

The new outdoor swimming pool in Wilkie only had a few weeks of use this summer, but the town’s recreation director said it had already proven to be a great addition for the community.

The pool officially opened on Aug. 6 after nearly a year of construction. It closed on Aug. 24 because all of the lifeguards are students who have now headed back to school. The town is planning to reopen next spring by early June.

Recreation director Lori Fenrich said the pool had already lived up to its role as a gathering place.

“Everybody was very, very excited to see it open and the project completed, including all town employees. ’Cause it was definitely a group effort to get the project completed.”

(Submitted/Lori Fenrich)

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(Submitted/Lori Fenrich)

The project was backed by a mix of federal and provincial grant funding — roughly $1.9 million — alongside community donations and fundraising. Fenrich said the total cost came in at more than $3.2 million.

The construction began in August 2024. Western Recreation and Development Inc. built the pool basin and installed equipment, including filters and a boiler, while Home Hardware constructed the 4,000-square-foot change house.

The building includes a family and wheelchair accessible change room, as well as separate men’s and women’s facilities. The pool itself is a 4,000-square-foot, beach-entry, zero-barrier design, complete with a twin racer waterslide and a diving board

Fenrich said community members also played a role in construction.

“The community Club helped with the installation of the retaining wall. The Wilkin District Fire Association, a great group of firefighters, came out and helped us install the fence. And a few council members jumped in and helped.”

While the pool is now closed for the season, Fenrich said the town is looking ahead.

“There are still a few little landscaping things to finish up, but we’ll get them done here shortly before winter hits. And then when we open next spring, it’ll be everything done, ready to roll and have a full, complete summer at our new pool.”

(Submitted/Lori Fenrich)

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com