Kamloops 1993 Canada Games Pool
& 1995 Leisure Pool Addition
Kamloops, British Columbia

This notable facility was designed and constructed in two phases. The first and most extensive phase was undertaken in preparation of the 1993 Canada Games and included a 50 metre 8 lane competition pool and spectator seating. At the time of design it was understood that if this pool was to have a “life after the games,” provision should be made for leisurization of the facility. The second phase was the addition of a freeform leisure pool. The original building was designed to easily allow this retrofit and required only a 1,700 square foot increase to the building size. Vic Davies Architect Ltd. acted as specialist pool consultant for both the 50 metre competition pool and the leisure pool post-games retrofit.

The competition pool has all the amenities required to hold world class swimming events, including spectator seating, electronic scoring and timekeeping equipment. The movable bulkhead allows lane swimming at a variety of distances.

The leisure pool is a dramatic accompaniment to the 50 metre pool. The addition made to the building shell increased the natural light through the use of skylights, circular windows, and a wall of glass running parallel to the pool. A 300 foot waterslide loops in and out of the building to end in a landing strip separate from the main pools.

By using the freeform shape and making use of the building supports to create “islands” in the shallow leisure pool, it was possible to provide interesting and varied play areas and incorporate numerous water-moving features. Interactive water sprays such as the water cannons, raindrop, weir, rapids channel, and vortex offer endless play opportunities to swimmers of all ages.