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By Victor Kaisar

Pool Closure

Mayor Yu reopening debate to avoid Aquatic Centre shutdown citing ‘significant community concern’

Nov 30, 2025 | 12:58 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — Prince George City Council will potentially embark on another debate over the upcoming two-year shutdown of the Aquatic Centre.

Mayor Simon Yu is using his power under Section 131 of the Community Charter to bring back the motion that was defeated 6-3 on Nov. 3 for reconsideration during Monday’s (Dec. 1) meeting of council.

That motion – by Councillor Trudy Klassen – was asking city administration to come back with options to avoid the shutdown, which staff say is necessary so extensive renovations, upgrades, and structural repairs can be done at the Aquatic Centre.

“Since that vote, there has been significant community concern about the planned two-year closure of the facility under the current City strategy,” Yu said, in a report. “Residents, user groups, and stakeholders have expressed a strong desire for Council to ensure that all feasible options are examined before a long-term closure proceeds.”

Yu – who voted in favour of Klassen’s motion  – says he wants all feasible options are examined before the planned long-term closure proceeds. It is however, unclear what new information would be considered Monday.

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“This authority [under the Communtiy Charter] is being exercised not to predetermine an outcome, but to ensure Council has the opportunity to consider new information and updated public input,” Yu added.

“Given the Aquatic Centre’s importance, the scale of the anticipated impacts, and the level of public concern, the Mayor is requiring that Council reconsider the defeated motion so that the issue can be discussed with the most current and complete information.”

It’s not clear if Yu will have support to revisit the defeat motion as some of the Councillors who were opposed, called the motion “performative” and “financially irresponsible.” Staff also said if there were other options, they would have already have presented it to council.

At Monday’s meeting, City Council is also being asked to approve the purchase of three dive platforms for the Canfor Leisure pool at an estimated cost of $36,400.

The City’s Director of Civic Facilities and Events Andy Beesley notes some equipment from the Aquatic Centre can be moved to the Canfor pool allowing competitive swim clubs the ability to continue to host swim meets at their temporary home.

Beesly also noted that the P.G. Barracuda Swim Club and the Pisces Swim Club will have sufficient space for training, and that training time is only expected to be reduced by five per cent or less.

“Additionally, aquatics management has worked with the Water Lilies Club to find a workable plan for their unique needs for training, as well as the Special Olympics club, who have communicated that they are satisfied with the accommodation plans and have no outstanding issues,” the report said.

Monday’s meeting of council is set to get underway at 6:00 p.m. at Prince George City Hall. The entire agenda can be found here.

*Editors note: This article has been corrected because Councillor Cori Ramsay did not vote in favour of Mayor Yu’s motion to come back with options to avoid the pool’s shutdown.