Kamloops aquatic centre upgrades nearly finished

KAMLOOPS, B.C. — As renovations near completion at the Canada Games Aquatic Centre (CGAC) at the Tournament Capital Centre (TCC), the City of Kamloops is starting to open up for public swim lessons and competitive swim clubs.

The improvements include upgrades to the facility’s mechanical, heating and electrical system as well as updates to the change rooms and pool amenities. 

The change rooms have be overhauled to improve accessibility and safety. They will now feature individual-use change rooms with shared access to the common areas leading to the pool deck. There are now 20 individual change rooms, 11 family rooms and three fully accessible change rooms with adjustable beds, overhead lifts and wheelchair-accessible showers and sinks. 

Crews also have been working to relocate the sauna and steam room to accommodate a new spray park, complete with water cannons, a splash pad, and other water features, and a large whirlpool with an accessible lift to provide direct access for people in wheelchairs.  

“Accessibility and inclusivity are important themes to the improvements we’ve made,” said Andrew Smeaton, Kamloops aquatic supervisor, in a statement. “From the change room renovations to the accessible lifts and the new spectator entrance, people of all abilities now have improved access to aquatics in our community.”