Henderson Lake outdoor pool and water slides near completion

After a year in the design phase and 16 months of construction, the new and improved Henderson Lake outdoor pool is nearly ready to open.

“The previous facility was around for almost 50 years. It treated the community very well,” said City of Lethbridge project coordinator Ashley Matthews. “It was time for a major upgrade and we’re going to be very proud of this facility.”

The $10.3-million project is on schedule to be completed by the end of June. When finished it will include a spray park, rock climbing wall, diving board, picnic area, and two water slides.

“These are the only water slides within a city facility there are,” said Matthews. “So I think it’s going to really be an attraction for not only Lethbridge, but southern Alberta.”

There is still some work that needs to be completed before the pool can open. Officials said liner has to be put in the pool, the tower to the water slides has to be built, and sod has to be laid.

When finished, the area will hold up to 1,000 people at a time.

“The old facility over the course of season would have between 30,000 and 35,000 people use this facility,” Matthews said. “We believe this one will be around 45,000 to 50,000 people.”

The pool has been closed for the past two summers while under construction. But according to Matthews, those who have waited will be rewarded.

“The end result was well worth the wait,” Matthews said. “And this new facility will be here for many, many years to serve this community, and we really appreciate everyone’s patience.”

Officials said they may keep the pool open into September if weather cooperates.