Acadia University Announces Permanent Pool Closure Effective June 15, 2025

February 18 Update: Pool Maintenance Timeline and Reports

As we have continued to listen to the public’s response to last week’s announcement, we have received requests for more information about how we arrived at the decision to close the pool, and the steps that were taken along the way. 

In the interest of transparency and information sharing, we have provided some key dates in the recent history of maintenance and repair of Acadia’s pool alongside reports, which can be read in full at the links below. 

Over the years, the university has undertaken numerous maintenance and repair efforts to extend the life of the pool. Highlights include: 

  • 2007: Replacement of the heat recovery ventilation system 
  • 2011: Chlorination system replacement 
  • 2012: Major maintenance shutdown, including drainpipe relining and hot water converter replacement 
  • 2013: Emergency flood incident, requiring all circulation and filtration pump motors replacement, additional drain pipe relining, and pool jets replacement. 
  • 2014: Lighting system upgrade and pool jet maintenance 
  • 2017: One-month maintenance shutdown to investigate significant leakage, conduct pool tile repairs and regrouting, jet line cleaning and flushing, localized tank repairs, and inspect the drain line 
  • 2019: Hot water converter replacement  
  • 2020: COVID-19-related shutdown, during which the pool was drained and inspected before reopening in November 2020. 
  • 2023: Maintenance shutdown, during which repairs, painting, and cleaning was done, and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) identified possible subsidence issues in both the shallow and deep ends of the pool. 

We recognize the impact of this closure on our students, faculty, and community members who have relied on the pool for recreation, training, and wellness activities for years. However, the pool at Acadia has reached the end of its useful life and must be shut down permanently. We thank everyone for their understanding.  

 

February 15, 2025 Update - Follow-up Meeting with DEI Consulting

Exploring the possibility of securing external funding—either private or public—to maintain the pool until a new aquatic center can be built in the region
 
Since the announcement of the pool’s potential closure, a few online groups have formed with the goal of preserving the facility. While many acknowledge that Acadia University is not in a financial position to sustain its operation, some have suggested the possibility of securing external funding—either private or public—to maintain the pool until a new aquatic center can be built in the region. To address this question thoroughly, Acadia consulted DEI once again this week.
 
DEI, the engineering firm, provided the following key insights:
  • Extensive Repairs Required – While the original DEI report called for $3 to 4 million in repairs based on visual inspection, costs could range between $5 million and $7 million, depending on the extent of necessary tank repairs.
  • Required shutdown - The scope of renovation required to extend the pool’s lifespan until a new facility is built would necessitate a complete shutdown for up to two years.
  • Uncertain Structural Condition – The current report only accounts for visible deterioration on the west side and deep end. Additional repairs would likely be required once all tiles are removed and a full structural assessment was completed.
  • Ongoing Structural Damage – The pool is experiencing leakage, which is causing damage to the mechanical support space and accelerating corrosion on conduits and drains.
  • Groundwater Pressure Challenges – High groundwater levels are putting additional stress on the pool tank, particularly when it is drained. Addressing this issue would likely require a water withdrawal permit from the province, as significant groundwater pumping would be needed.
  • Potential future building structural concerns - Continuing to operate the pool without significant investment in the building envelope will deteriorate the structural elements of the building.
The findings indicate that a full-scale renovation, costing up to $7 million and requiring up to a two-year shutdown, would be necessary to sustain the pool until a new aquatic facility is constructed. Additional concerns include unknown structural deterioration, leakage damage, and groundwater pressure, all of which add complexity and cost.
 
Despite significant capital investments in the past and regular maintenance, the pool has reached a state where continued operations are not possible.

 

February 14, 2025 Update - Response to Pool Closure Concerns 

Acadia University acknowledges the significant impact of the decision to close the pool on students, employees, and community partners. This decision was not made lightly, and we recognize the loss of an important resource for Acadia and the broader community. 
 
As our community has processed the news of the closure, several key themes have emerged from public feedback. In the interest of transparency and information sharing, we have done our best to address these concerns in a series of FAQs.
 
Why announce the closure now?   
Questions have arisen regarding the timing of the announcement, particularly concerning the swim team’s upcoming competition. Once the decision was made to close the pool permanently, we endeavored to inform those most impacted as soon as possible to provide them maximum time for planning. Recruited athletes, programs such as S.M.I.L.E., and local aquatic programs need as much notice as possible to explore other possibilities. Given the deteriorating condition of the facility, urgent communication was essential to allow adequate planning time for those impacted.   
 
We prioritized informing those most affected by the closure—including the swim team, supporting staff, the athletics department, the leadership team, supporters, local municipalities, MLAs, the Tritons swimming program, internal programs such as S.M.I.L.E., and community members—before making a public release. We are committed to supporting the varsity swim team and the local Tritons program throughout the current season as long as the pool remains operational.
  
What is Acadia doing to support its athletes?  
Our primary concern remains our student-athletes. We will assist them as they consider options for 2025-2026, honouring any scholarships or bursaries even if they choose to attend another institution. Academic and personal counselling has been offered and continues to be provided as needed. The very difficult decision to close the pool has negative consequences on our swim team, families, and friends, along with other programs and groups who used the facility. We will support our students as best we can through these trying times.    
 
Doesn’t Acadia have a responsibility to the local community?   
For decades, Acadia has been pleased to provide its community and regional partners with a swimming facility. However, operating a pool is no longer feasible for the University. While we acknowledge the critical role pools play in health, wellness, community building, research, and events, we are advocating for a regional aquatic centre to fulfill these needs. The University can no longer serve as the provider of such essential community elements, though we remain supportive of initiatives to establish a new facility within the region.  
 
What will become of the S.M.I.L.E. program?   
The University will collaborate closely with the leaders of the S.M.I.L.E. program to ensure the continuity of their programming without access to a pool. S.M.I.L.E. has successfully operated without a pool during previous extended closures and will continue to do so. We recognize the pool component of the program was highly popular and acknowledge the disappointment the decision has created.   
 
The University received $22M in provincial government support for deferred maintenance a few years ago. Why wasn’t the pool prioritized?   
Currently, the University’s estimated deferred maintenance is $105M, before the cost of repairing or rebuilding a pool. The $22M doesn’t cover a quarter of the need on campus and the University can no longer justify the repair costs, or annual operating costs, related to the operation of the pool.  
 

Acadia University Announces Permanent Pool Closure Effective June 15, 2025

[Wolfville, February 10, 2025] – Acadia University has made the difficult decision to permanently close its swimming pool effective June 15, 2025, due to the longstanding financial challenges of maintaining the facility.

For years, the pool has operated at an annual deficit of $400,000, a cost that has become unsustainable. A recent engineering report completed by DEI Consulting Engineers in November 2024 also confirmed the pool requires extensive repairs and investments to continue operating.

The pool closure will also result in discontinuing the Acadia Varsity Swimming program, which has brought pride and recognition to our campus for many years. Today’s athletes continue to lead strong performances and position themselves as strong contenders heading into the upcoming AUS Championship. We will continue to support the facility until the end of the season so long as water quality and safety can be maintained.

“We know how much the pool means to our university and local community, and making this decision has been incredibly difficult,” said Dr. Jeff Hennessy, President and Vice-Chancellor of Acadia University. “This will deeply impact many individuals and groups. After reviewing all options, we have had to face the hard reality that it is financially unfeasible to continue operating the facility.”

Key findings of the engineering report include:

  • The pool tank is leaking a substantial volume of water and requires major repairs, including full retiling.
  • The mechanical systems supporting the pool operation, including filtration and HVAC, are at the end of their life and require comprehensive renewal/replacement.
  • The estimated cost of repairs exceeds $3 million.

For decades, the pool has served as a vital resource for the Acadia varsity swim team, the Wolfville Tritons swimming program, the Town of Wolfville and our entire community. The University has notified its athletes, students, employees and community partners and is committed to working with all those impacted during this transition.

"We recognize the pool’s significance in the region, serving as a hub for recreation, health, and wellness. While this decision is necessary, we are dedicated to advocating for community resources to fill this void,” says President Hennessy.

Media Contact:

Ashley Cyr
Communications, Acadia University
media.relations@acadiau.ca

 

 

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