The Inglewood Aquatic Center will close for good at the end of 2024

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The Inglewood Aquatic Center will close permanently in December, the city announced Thursday, citing the need for expensive renovations.

Heather Johnson, the city's director of recreation and social programs, said the electrical repairs needed, like those at other water facilities in the city, will take about three months at a cost of about $600,000.

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Inglewood Pool, which closed in 2019 due to declining attendance and financial costs, will close on December 22.

“Recognizing the importance of the facility to the community, interim funding has been provided to operate the pool pending the completion of the nearby MNP Community and Sports Center Recreational Expansion Aquatics Project,” Johnson said Thursday.

“I want to assure our customers or employees that there is no security risk to enter the facility; however, there is a risk that the electrical system may fail unexpectedly, resulting in facility inoperability and disruption to user groups and customers.

While the city has options to keep the center open, closing it at the end of the year would avoid the need for costly, time-consuming renovations, he said.

“Furthermore, due to the age of the facility, further renovations may be required. The closure will allow for potential redevelopment, including new housing that will support the local economy.”

Staff at the center will be transferred to other city-run water facilities.

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Many city-operated aquatic and fitness facilities, such as Inglewood Pool and the previously closed money-losing Beltline facility, were built between the 1960s and 1980s.

“These units have been well used and well cared for, but many are now over 50 years old and decades past their estimated lifespan.”

A long-term vision for inclusive, accessible and sustainable recreation services will be presented to council early next year, Johnson said. The plan raises awareness that the city's aquatic and fitness facilities require significant investment in repair, modernization and replacement.

“As we complete electrical repairs at all aquatic facilities in the city, except for Inglewood, we must consider remodeling or replacing these facilities to better serve the evolving recreational needs of Calgarians.”

Johnson said that while the site of the Inglewood Aquatic Center is too small to build a new facility, there are opportunities elsewhere.

A possible celebratory event is being planned for the fall to celebrate his legacy.

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