Olympic-sized pool to be built in Mississauga? It’s being discussed

A Mississauga councillor is floating an idea to build what would be the city’s first Olympic-sized swimming pool.

Citing the city’s stated commitment to the health and wellness of residents and noting Mississauga is the largest city in Canada without a 50-metre indoor swimming pool, Ward 2 Coun. Alvin Tedjo wants to talk about bringing such a facility to the municipality.

A motion from the councillor seeking to have senior City of Mississauga staff explore the feasibility of constructing a 50-metre swimming pool in the city will be tabled for discussion at next Wednesday’s city council meeting.

Tedjo’s motion also calls for an effort to get the provincial government on board in helping fund a new pool project.

Ward 2 Coun. Alvin Tedjo wants to see a 50-metre swimming pool built in Mississauga. Some of the city’s community centres currently feature 25-metre pools.

In making his case for a much larger swimming pool in the city (newly renovated Mississauga community centres feature 25-metre pools), Tedjo further noted in his motion:

• thousands of city residents participate in learn-to-swim and competitive swimming programs, and current programs are regularly at full capacity
• building a new or renovated aquatic facility would enhance access to programming and reduce the need for residents to use facilities in neighbouring cities
• population and housing growth in the city continue to rise, and the city should continue to explore the need for new or renovated facilities to increase capacity
• a new or renovated aquatic centre with a 50-metre pool would significantly increase the capacity and availability of learn-to-swim and competitive programming while also increasing sport tourism to the city and have a positive economic impact
• provincial sport organizations and local municipalities need the support of the provincial government to build regionally significant sport facilities
• Ontario’s swimming infrastructure is not keeping up with its population growth and all 50-metre pools in the west GTA are nearing the end of their life cycles and require replacement or renovation
• the provincial government has previously provided funding opportunities for municipalities to build and operate such facilities

Tedjo is also asking, via his motion, that all future indoor aquatic centres in the city “positioned for redevelopment or that are nearing end-of-life be studied regarding the benefit and possibility of developing a 50-metre pool.”

A recent report from the Aquatic Sport Council of Ontario identified a significant shortage of aquatic facilities in the province, particularly 50-metre swimming pools, compared to the growing population.

“Most indoor 50-metre pools in Ontario were constructed between 1970 and 2010, with only four built after 2000, according to a 2023 study by Aquatic Associates,” the council wrote in its report.

“This lack of infrastructure negatively affects community vibrancy by limiting options for learn-to-swim lessons, recreational aquatic activities, water-based rehabilitation programs, water-based sports and opportunities for local sport tourism.”

The council is urging the provincial government to put funding opportunities in place to help build regional recreational centres with larger pools.

The report noted a 50-metre pool “can bring three times the programming for twice the pool size.”