Regina will benefit from a new, more energy-efficient indoor aquatics facility heated by geothermal energy. The aquatics facility and geothermal projects represent a combined investment of more than $128.1 million from the governments of Canada and Saskatchewan, along with the City of Regina.
The new recreational facility will replace and enhance the amenities offered at the aging Lawson Aquatic Centre, which currently sees more than 170,000 swim visits each year. The new space will deliver on Regina's top recreational priority from the 2019 Recreational Master Plan, and it will meet National competition standards, include a significant leisure aquatic component, and will expect to see approximately 600,000 swim visits per year. The project will have modern community spaces, amenities, and change rooms to support a multi-functional, inclusive, accessible, and sustainable facility.
The new aquatic facility will be larger and have more multi-purpose spaces to better serve the community, and it will also make use of green energy sources. Funding will also support the construction of a deep Geothermal Heating Facility (GHF) to provide energy to the new aquatic facility. Naturally occurring hot water will be extracted from the earth and used to heat the aquatic facility, before being returned underground. This clean energy technology will support a greener community, which supports Regina's goal of being net zero by 2050.
