For the past 37 years, the Maple Ridge Leisure Centre (MRLC) has been a community gathering place where countless citizens achieve their healthy living goals, engage in their favourite activities, meet other like-minded residents and build lasting relationships. The facility continues to be the social hub of the City Centre, however mechanical systems have become outdated and the aquatic facility does not meet the changing needs of a diverse community. Since the MRLC’s opening in 1980, Maple Ridge has more than doubled in population from 30,000 to 82,256 citizens according to the 2016 Census.
Although there have been upgrades to the facility with the addition of a 25 metre teach pool, small wade pool and water slide in 2001, as well as small improvements along the way, the facility requires upgrades to significant mechanical and chlorination system components. At the February 28, 2017 Council meeting, Council endorsed revisiting the aquatics design components that could result in the approval of the improvements that will rejuvenate the facility to better serve our growing community.
The priority upgrades for the MRLC are within the aquatics area. The water filtration and pool mechanical systems date back to the original construction and are obsolete and expensive to continually repair. These upgrades will require the pool decks to be dug up, so the City is taking the opportunity to upgrade the leisure pool and hot tub to increase accessibility and improve the user experience.
These changes, among others, will allow the MRLC to serve the community for many years to come. For more information about background information, design concepts, community impact and more, please explore this webpage. This page will be updated with current content throughout the process.
On Monday, March 26 the Aquatics facility will be closed for an estimated 13 month retrofit intended to modernize and upgrade the aquatic area, change rooms, lobby and mechanical and filtration systems. The fitness area and gymnasium will remain open during the retrofit.