The University of British Columbia is building a new $39.9 million aquatic centre. The facility, scheduled to open in September 2016, will include an Olympic-sized swimming pool, 25-metre lap pool, warm-water family pool with lazy river and a hot tub.

Plans for the centre were approved after UBC Athletics and Recreation confirmed that building a brand new facility would be more financially sustainable than upgrading the current building. The new development is expected to increase patronage by 40 per cent.

Designed by Toronto’s MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects and B.C. architects Acton Ostry, the facility will feature large skylights, seating for up to 500 people, nearly 1,500 square metres of deck space, large change rooms, and food services.

“It’s very rare for an aquatic centre to accommodate so many different users and we are incredibly excited to make this world-class facility available to the community,” says Kavie Toor, associate director of facilities and business development for athletics and recreation at UBC.

Construction of the new facility is scheduled to begin in late July 2014.

Image courtesy of UBC Public Affairs.