Residents can swim for free at the Leisure Centre in Maple Ridge on March 25, the day before the 37-year-old facility closes for more than a year for renovations.
According to the city, the Maple Ridge Leisure Centre opened in 1981 and was, at the time, a state of the art aquatics and multipurpose facility that provided residents with one of the first leisure pools built in Canada.
On Monday, March 26, the aquatics facility will be closed for an estimated 13 month for a retrofit intended to modernize and upgrade the aquatic area, change rooms, lobby and mechanical and filtration systems.
The fitness area and gymnasium will remain open during the retrofit.
“This facility has served our community for 37 years and is a special place to many residents, both young and old. We felt that it was important to recognize the history of the facility and to extend our appreciation to our customers before the retrofit starts,” said Christa Balatti, recreation manager health and wellness.
On Sunday, March 25 admission to the Leisure Centre will be free and the lobby will have refreshments and activities for all ages.
Staff will be available to answer questions about alternative programming and the future of the facility.
Read about the customer accommodation plan, which includes transportation services, programming and financial assistance, at mapleridge.ca/1810.
Everyone who visits the facility on March 25 will be entered in a draw for the grand prize: an exclusive pool party.
The winner and 20 of their friends will be the first to swim in the newly renovated aquatic facility prior to the reveal.
“On March 25. we will have staff onsite throughout the day providing our customers with information on the ‘Pool Talk’ landing page at mapleridge.ca/1718, where citizens can get up-to-date information on how the retrofit project is proceeding.
Full details on alternative programming, transportation services and financial aid to those who require it will also be available, said Balatti.
• For more information on the Leisure Centre retrofit project or customer accommodations, contact Balatti at cbalatti@mapleridge.ca or 604-467-7310.