StettlerLocal.com August 5, 2021
In August of 1966, construction started on the Stettler Centennial Swimming Pool located on the south end of the Christ King Parish Hall. The Swimming pool was built by Saracen Construction Ltd. with the Stettler School Board overseeing the construction of the project as it was on their property. Extensive talks between Saracen and the Board, did see some ‘frills’ taken out of the design, but in the end, they were able to settle on $249,325.
The project was funded by a variety of sources. The town approved taking a $210,000 debenture, as well centennial grants from the town and county totaling $15,000, and the remainder being raised by service clubs and various other donations in the community.
The pool was officially opened by Mr. E.H. Abell of the Provincial Centennial Commision who commended the town on accomplishing such an ambitious project. He also made special note of the large Canada Centennial Symbols which were displayed on the wall.
The 60 ft by 137 ft building housed a swimming pool and a diving pool and both were to Olympic specifications. The showers and change rooms were on the ground floor of the building.
The official opening was marked with speeches by Mayor Robyn Sloan, Galen Norris (MPP) Hugh McCallum, County Reeve, and pool committee Chairman Brian Johnson. Contractor George Pollock spoke noting that the only injury during the construction was a cut finger.
The Recreation Director, Dean Limpert, noted that approximately 1,600 people had already used the new facility before the delayed grand opening ceremony. After which, both he and Mayor Sloan were unceremoniously pushed into the pool to the delight of everyone in attendance.
The pool was erected on school property and swimming would soon be incorporated into the physical education program.
The Stettler Swimming pool was home to several successful athletes. Some of the most notable were Barbara Clark, and Susan Sloan who won bronze at the Montreal Olympic Games in 1976. Cameron Grant also qualified for the Olympic team in 1988 in Seoul Korea.
The town and the school operated the pool as a joint operation until the town formally purchased the school’s interests in the pool in 1994. The Stettler Recreation Centre added a new pool wing to their facility, and in 2006 the Centennial pool was closed and then demolished in 2012.
Carson Ellis, Reporter & Local Historian at Our Town Stettler
StettlerLocal.com
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