After extensive deliberations, the Region of Queens Municipality Council voted 5-2 to award the construction contract for the South Queens Outdoor Pool to Axios Construction.
The decision came during the council meeting on September 10 following discussions about the pool’s design and budget.
Originally budgeted at $7.2 million, the project now sits at $8.08 million, following alterations based on quotes received in the tendering process.
The funding for this project includes a $3 million donation from an anonymous source, a $2.2 million grant secured from the provincial government, thanks in part to advocacy by Public Works Minister Kim Masland (also Queens MLA), and $2.88 million from the municipality’s own budget.
The new pool will be built at Queens Place Emera Centre and will feature a six-lane, 25-metre heated pool with an accessible beach-style entry. Additional facilities include change rooms, washrooms, and bleacher seating to accommodate spectators, making it a suitable venue for swim meets and community events. The heating system will also allow the pool to remain open longer than the traditional Canada Day to Labour Day schedules that most outdoor pools in Canada use.
Mayor Darlene Norman expressed her gratitude for the financial backing, stating, “Council is pleased to see the outdoor pool project move forward to the construction phase and wish to thank the anonymous donor and Minister Masland for securing provincial funding. This pool will allow youth to learn to swim and enhance water safety, as well as host swim meets and other events, and will be a community gathering space.”
Council first began exploring options to replace the aging Milton Centennial Pool in 2020, after the facility had outlasted its expected lifespan by over two decades.
There was a period when the idea of building an indoor pool at the Emera Centre was being explored but council eventually opted for an outdoor pool instead due to the high costs of an indoor facility.
In 2023, the Milton pool was severely damaged by flooding and remained closed due to structural concerns.
With the final approval in place, construction is expected to begin shortly.
