Swim shuffle: City prepares for Kinsmen Aquatic Park construction closure at Big Marble Go Centre

Medicine Hat – As crews prepare to shut down the Kinsmen Aquatic Park at the Big Marble Go Centre on May 15, 2024 for a $2.8 million upgrade, plans are taking shape at other pools and amenities to accommodate swimmers.
Outdoor pools will open as follows:

• Hill Pool (44 7 Street SW) – May 15
• Echo Dale Swim Lake (just off Holsom Road SW) – May 24
• Strathcona Pool (1150 5 Street SE) – June 1
  Patrons can splash around when spray parks open for the year:
• Ross Glen Spray Park (Ross Glen Road SE) – May 17
• Saamis Rotary Park (Brentwood Lane SW) – May 17
• Kiwanis Central Park (900 3 Avenue SE) – June 1
• Strathcona Island Park (5 Street SE) – June 1
  “We have extended our operating hours at our outdoor pools and Crestwood Rec Centre to accommodate the swim clubs and other user groups who typically operate at the Kinsmen Aquatic Park,” said Scott Richter, interim Recreation Manager with the Parks and Recreation department. “But the public hours are similar to previous years and are kept up to date on our website.”
  On Wednesday, May 15, the entire Big Marble Go Centre will be closed for a planned one-day power outage to conduct electrical work. The outage also affects the ball diamonds, BMX track, Methanex Bowl, outdoor pickleball courts, and outdoor washroom building on the property.
  The gymnasium, fieldhouse and South Country Co-op Fitness Centre at the Big Marble Go Centre will reopen Thursday, May 16 and remain open during construction.
  Admissions and membership fees will be adjusted for construction. Continuous passholders (those who pay monthly) will receive an automatic 15 per cent discount for the four months from May 15 to Sept. 15. Daily admissions, punch cards and 31-day passes will also be discounted by 15 per cent. Existing annual passes will be extended one additional month at no charge.
  Those who wish to cancel their membership are required to provide 14 days’ notice according to the membership agreement by contacting Customer Service in person or by email.
  Access to Hill Pool, Strathcona Pool and Crestwood Recreation Centre is included with an active continuous, 31-day, or annual pass from the Big Marble Go Centre.
  The Kinsmen Aquatic Park is expected to reopen Sept. 15, 2024. The Cenovus Arena at the Big Marble Go Centre is currently closed for upgrades and will reopen in July.
  Information for all City-operated indoor and outdoor swim facilities is available at medicinehat.ca/swim.
  The Big Marble Go Centre opened in 2000 (as the Family Leisure Centre) with an Olympic-sized ice arena and aquatic centre. An expansion in 2016 added a quad gymnasium, a double indoor boarded turf fieldhouse, and an upper-level fitness centre complete with an indoor track.