The Big Marble Go Centre will undergo $2.9 million in upgrades later this year. With the pool and arena closed for extended periods. (Kevin Kyle/CHAT News)

By Jesse Gill

Big Marble Go Centre upgrades will move skaters and swimmers to other facilities later this year

Jan 25, 2024 | 5:19 PM

Less activity will take place at the Big Marble Go Centre this summer as the facility undergoes some significant upgrades.

The Cenovus Arena will have the ice plant rebuilt at a cost of $100,000.

The arena will be closed from the middle of April until July, but the Hockey Hounds Arena will be open to allow skating during this time.

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There will be no swimming at the Kinsmen Aquatic Centre with $2.8 million in work closing the pools down from mid-May until mid-Sept.

Lisa Kennedy, recreation manager with the City of Medicine Hat said work will include replacing water and pool filters, fixing a water storage reservoir, upgrading amenities, and addressing staff safety concerns.

“All of that involves lifting up a lot of the pool deck and performing those repairs,” Kennedy said.

“That will shut the facility down for that time period, but we will be opening our other pools and facilities for extended hours and for a longer season as well as some of our outdoor pools.”

This will impact local swim clubs who will be moved to other facilities.

Alberta Marlin Aquatic Club head coach Jordan Harper said he’s happy the club will still be able to hold their swim meet in May before the work begins.

“To reach out to the user groups in advance and get everyone’s schedules, shows that they’re trying to be proactive in their planning, which is really great,” Harper said.

“I just think it’s going to be challenging for the community, for someone who’s a frequent user of this facility to try to find other places to, you know, make up their extracurricular activities.”

The city will open the Crestwood Recreation Centre pool on the weekends in the summer and will be operating under extended hours.

Also planned is the early opening of the Hill outdoor pool.

“We are really working hard with our user groups to accomodate their lane swim there,” Kennedy said.

“We’ll be providing various things in the early season like heaters and coverage so the swimmers can stay warm and continue with their training throughout that season.”

The city says the gym, fieldhouse, and South Country Co-op Fitness Centre will remain open during the work.

Adjustments to admission and membership fees will be done due to the renovations.

The work being done will help extend the life of the facility and also ease future maintenance.