Welcome to our new website!

Welcome! We hope you find our new website helpful and easier to navigate. It's now as easy to use on your smartphone as your desktop. Take a tour and please tell us what you think.

From...a seasonal outdoor pool

Our beloved Ferny Coombe Pool was built in 1978 and has become a vital community asset in the District of Kent and home to the Agassiz-Harrison Aquanauts.

Having taught thousands of children skills and sportsmanship through the District of Kent's Learn to Swim program, the Ferny Coombe Pool provides residents from the District of Kent, neighbouring First Nation communities, Village of Harrison Hot Springs, Rosedale and Popkum a place for family and friends to make memories for generations to come.

With original pool structure that is past the initial life expectancy, we anticipate that any significant structural or mechanical failure will be beyond repair. Without a swimming pool in Agassiz, it would certainly effect all of our communities.

To...a year-round indoor aquatic centre

The benefits of a Regional Aquatic Centre Include:
  • More local programs reduces the need to travel to large municipalities and supports our regions economy.
  • Inclusive year round social and physical programs enables all residents to participate equally and equitably. Including but not limited to swim lessons, Aquafit, lane swimming, leisure swims, birthday parties, community events, therapeutic and rehabilitative services.
  • Water safety is an essential lifelong skill and a necessity when living near water such as the Fraser River and Harrison Lake.
  • Amateur sport enriches our community's spirit and supports our region's overall health, wellbeing, and volunteerism.
LRRAC Gallery

Connected to the Community Recreation & Cultural Centre, this universal facility is approximately 27,000 square feet and includes the following indoor amenities:

  • 8-lane lap pool
  • Leisure Pool with Lazy River
  • Whirlpool
  • Steam and Sauna
  • Spectator Viewing Area
  • Community Room

  • LEED designed facility (Energy Modeling)
  • Central location and supports active transportation
  • Use of renewable resources
  • Tree grove behind facility

Has been designed to meet and exceed the requirements of the highest published accessibility standards in British Columbia and Canada.

Some of these features may include:

  • Main entry door and vestibule on motion sensor sliding glass doors
  • Wide doors throughout the building with accessible door handles
  • Zero entry access with handrails for the Leisure Pool
  • Wheelchair, walker and stroller storage areas by Lane Pool, Leisure Pool and Whirlpool
  • Chair lift access and ramps into Lane Pool, Leisure Pool and Whirlpool.
  • Plus many more!

Frequently Asked Questions

The Ferny Coombe Pool has exceeded its life expectancy by nearly 10 years. Staff continue to work hard to extend its life, however, major concerns are beginning to arise.

 

As the Ferny Coombe Pool was built in 1978, the costs to renovate to meet today's building standards would not be cost effective. This also means that covering the Ferny Coombe Pool would not be effective as well, as the pool itself is beyond renovation.

Current projections have a late 2026 opening.

There are multiple avenues of funding for this project, which include both Provincial and Federal Funding, and internal funding through reserves. Please note, staff are also working towards regional agreements to help offset some of the costs.

Absolutely! The LRRAC is designed to meet accessibility standards, which will include ramps, chair lifts, and a zero entry leisure pool.

The exact operating costs are still to be determined, as this will be based on variables such as operation hours, staffing levels, and energy efficiency savings on utility costs. However, we estimate a projected net operating subsidy between $450,000 - $600,000. For reference the Ferny Coombe Pool operates with a current operating subsidy of $135,000 for 4 months of operations.

The current proposed increase to property taxes for operations and debt repayment to the District of Kent residents would be $18 for every $100,000 in assessed value. For example, a home assessed at $500,000 would see an increase of $90 per year.

We are! Now that the project is set to break ground, our Fundraising Committee will be looking at hosting more fundraising events over the next year, until we officially open the LRRAC doors. If you're interested in joining the fundraising committee, please contact the Community Recreation & Cultural Centre at 604-796-8891 or crccinfo@kentbc.ca

The budgeted cost is forecasted at $25 million.

The Leisure Pool will have spray features, a lazy river, and basketball hoops. Staff are also exploring other removable play features, that may be added as the LRRAC opens. 

Yes! The benefit of the LRRAC is it will have separate pools to offer more swimming lessons, length swim times, aquafit classes, and other aquatic programming.