Aquatic Service and Facility Review

Aquatic programming and services improve the quality of life for residents and contribute to a healthier community. To guide and manage the City’s short- and long-term investment in aquatic services, an Aquatic Service and Facility Review has been initiated.

The review will explore:

  • Community needs and trends affecting aquatic participation
  • Condition, effectiveness and performance of the City’s indoor swimming pools
  • Related initiatives, such as the proposed Lionel E. Lalonde Centre Therapeutic/Leisure Pool, Kalmo Beach 10-Year Plan, and Lively Recreation Advisory Panel work
  • Contributions of non-municipal service providers to the aquatic service delivery system
  • Longer-term strategies for indoor pool renewal and development (type, location, timing)
  • Strategies to enhance the public experience at splash pads and supervised beaches


Update - October 2024

The final Aquatic Service and Facility Review report was presented to City Council on October 8, 2024. The report and presentation provided an overview of the second and final phase of the Aquatic Service and Facility Review, consisting of a detailed facility needs assessment, strategic directions relating to indoor pools, supervised waterfronts and splash pads and an implementation plan. The final report includes 33 strategic directions to guide decisions regarding aquatic services and facilities for the short, medium and long term.

Council approved the following resolution upon receiving the report and presentation (Resolution Number CC2024-229):

THAT the City of Greater Sudbury approves the Aquatic Service and Facility Review as the foundation for guiding future decisions relating to aquatic infrastructure, programs and operations as detailed in the report “Aquatic Service and Facility Review Final Report” from the General Manager of Community Development presented at the City Council meeting of October 8, 2024.

The following Members Motions relating to aquatic initiatives were also passed at the October 8, 2024, City Council meeting:

Resolution Number CC2024-230

WHEREAS the City of Greater Sudbury has approved the Aquatic Service and Facility Review as the foundation for guiding future decisions relating to aquatic infrastructure;

AND WHEREAS the Aquatic Service and Facility Review recommends that Lionel E. Lalonde Centre therapeutic pool be re-evaluated as the benefits of the project are limited;

AND WHEREAS the Aquatic Service and Facility Review indicates that a multi-tank aquatic centre in the area of the proposed therapeutic pool would maximize accessibility to all Greater Sudbury residents is preferred;

AND WHEREAS the Aquatic Service and Facility Review includes a strategic direction for the City to prepare feasibility studies to develop two new or expanded aquatic centres over time;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Greater Sudbury directs staff to commence with a feasibility study for the development of a new aquatic centre in 2025, which includes a 25-meter pool with separate warm water tank to be located in the vicinity of the proposed Lionel E. Lalonde Centre therapeutic pool project;

AND THAT capital funding previously allocated to the therapeutic pool project be used for the feasibility study.

Resolution Number CC2024-231

WHEREAS the City of Greater Sudbury has approved the Aquatic Service and Facility Review as the foundation for guiding future decisions relating to aquatic infrastructure, programs and operations;

AND WHEREAS the Aquatic Service and Facility Review recognizes that the Jeno Tihanyi Pool is an important contributor to the community's overall aquatic network and is the only 50-metre pool in the the near north region of Ontario serving a population of more than 2.2 million persons;

AND WHEREAS the Aquatic Service and Facility Review includes a strategic direction for the City to encourage Laurentian University to begin planning for the major revitalization or replacement of the Jeno Tihanyi Pool within the 25-year horizon of the review;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Greater Sudbury directs staff to work with Laurentian University on the development of a business plan for the re-opening of the Jeno Tihanyi Pool which explores potential operating models and capital and operating cost-sharing options;

AND THAT staff provide an update to the Community & Emergency Services Committee by June 2025.

The full staff report, Aquatic Service and Facility Review final report and supporting documents and presentation can be viewed here.

The City of Greater Sudbury would like to thank residents, stakeholders and user groups for their participation and feedback which supported the development of the Aquatic Service and Facility Review final report.

Aquatic programming and services improve the quality of life for residents and contribute to a healthier community. To guide and manage the City’s short- and long-term investment in aquatic services, an Aquatic Service and Facility Review has been initiated.

The review will explore:

  • Community needs and trends affecting aquatic participation
  • Condition, effectiveness and performance of the City’s indoor swimming pools
  • Related initiatives, such as the proposed Lionel E. Lalonde Centre Therapeutic/Leisure Pool, Kalmo Beach 10-Year Plan, and Lively Recreation Advisory Panel work
  • Contributions of non-municipal service providers to the aquatic service delivery system
  • Longer-term strategies for indoor pool renewal and development (type, location, timing)
  • Strategies to enhance the public experience at splash pads and supervised beaches


Update - October 2024

The final Aquatic Service and Facility Review report was presented to City Council on October 8, 2024. The report and presentation provided an overview of the second and final phase of the Aquatic Service and Facility Review, consisting of a detailed facility needs assessment, strategic directions relating to indoor pools, supervised waterfronts and splash pads and an implementation plan. The final report includes 33 strategic directions to guide decisions regarding aquatic services and facilities for the short, medium and long term.

Council approved the following resolution upon receiving the report and presentation (Resolution Number CC2024-229):

THAT the City of Greater Sudbury approves the Aquatic Service and Facility Review as the foundation for guiding future decisions relating to aquatic infrastructure, programs and operations as detailed in the report “Aquatic Service and Facility Review Final Report” from the General Manager of Community Development presented at the City Council meeting of October 8, 2024.

The following Members Motions relating to aquatic initiatives were also passed at the October 8, 2024, City Council meeting:

Resolution Number CC2024-230

WHEREAS the City of Greater Sudbury has approved the Aquatic Service and Facility Review as the foundation for guiding future decisions relating to aquatic infrastructure;

AND WHEREAS the Aquatic Service and Facility Review recommends that Lionel E. Lalonde Centre therapeutic pool be re-evaluated as the benefits of the project are limited;

AND WHEREAS the Aquatic Service and Facility Review indicates that a multi-tank aquatic centre in the area of the proposed therapeutic pool would maximize accessibility to all Greater Sudbury residents is preferred;

AND WHEREAS the Aquatic Service and Facility Review includes a strategic direction for the City to prepare feasibility studies to develop two new or expanded aquatic centres over time;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Greater Sudbury directs staff to commence with a feasibility study for the development of a new aquatic centre in 2025, which includes a 25-meter pool with separate warm water tank to be located in the vicinity of the proposed Lionel E. Lalonde Centre therapeutic pool project;

AND THAT capital funding previously allocated to the therapeutic pool project be used for the feasibility study.

Resolution Number CC2024-231

WHEREAS the City of Greater Sudbury has approved the Aquatic Service and Facility Review as the foundation for guiding future decisions relating to aquatic infrastructure, programs and operations;

AND WHEREAS the Aquatic Service and Facility Review recognizes that the Jeno Tihanyi Pool is an important contributor to the community's overall aquatic network and is the only 50-metre pool in the the near north region of Ontario serving a population of more than 2.2 million persons;

AND WHEREAS the Aquatic Service and Facility Review includes a strategic direction for the City to encourage Laurentian University to begin planning for the major revitalization or replacement of the Jeno Tihanyi Pool within the 25-year horizon of the review;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Greater Sudbury directs staff to work with Laurentian University on the development of a business plan for the re-opening of the Jeno Tihanyi Pool which explores potential operating models and capital and operating cost-sharing options;

AND THAT staff provide an update to the Community & Emergency Services Committee by June 2025.

The full staff report, Aquatic Service and Facility Review final report and supporting documents and presentation can be viewed here.

The City of Greater Sudbury would like to thank residents, stakeholders and user groups for their participation and feedback which supported the development of the Aquatic Service and Facility Review final report.

Page last updated: 31 Oct 2024, 03:55 PM