Ottawa partnering with Carleton University on new aquatics centre

Ottawa City Council approved the joint agreement with Carleton University for a new swimming centre, in a meeting on July 10.

The non-binding negotiations will see the city partner with Carleton University to build a new aquatics centre for Ottawa, where it will fund, develop, manage and operate the new joint Aquatic Sports Centre. 

The centre is set to feature a 50-metre competitive pool, a 25-metre warm-up and community pool, and the amenities to host aquatic special events, wrote the City of Ottawa in a news release.

According to yesterday’s city council meeting agenda, the Finance and Corporate Services Committee recommended that council direct the General Manager of Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services to undertake negotiations and report back to the appropriate standing committee and council with the outcome of negotiations.

The committee provided recommendations for the partnership, “including facility design, required capital and operating commitments, operating model, a proposed ownership or tenancy commitment, and operational agreements necessary to proceed in partnership with Carleton University for the joint development of a new Aquatic Sports Center.”

The new centre is needed, according to the council report, since the Nepean Sportsplex is “no longer attractive” for trainings and competitions.

Ottawa is often not considered, nor deemed a competitive option, to host competitive swimming, diving, water polo or synchronized swimming events, and is missing out on the associated local opportunities and economic benefit,” it reads.

The addition of this new aquatic centre would allow Ottawa to host more teams and to improve access to aquatic facilities and programs, they added. The pool inventory in the city is also lacking with the new centre to provide more pool times and rental availability.

The new aquatic centre would be located on Carleton University’s campus — near Bronson Avenue — that includes access via public transit.

“The City and university will negotiate project scope, facility ownership, operations and management, as well as day-to-day maintenance and governance and financing models,” wrote the City, adding “Staff will report back to City Council on the outcome of negotiations and next steps in the first half of next year.”