Nanaimo Aquatic Centre
Nanaimo, British Columbia

Due to the remarkable success of Nanaimo's Beban Park Pool expansion completed in May 1999, the City of Nanaimo decided to fast track the construction of this new leisure facility. The facility is annexed to the existing Nanaimo District Senior Secondary School. The pool complex is the largest capital expenditure undertaken by the City of Nanaimo.

The design of this new leisure facility was undertaken with the goal of making it a true community centre. Barrier free access had been planned throughout the pool area for access by the infirm or physically challenged. The zero beach in the leisure pool allows the youngest of swimmers to enter the pool in their own way. The inclusion of dry fitness areas rounds out the packages of services offered by the facility. Viewing areas, the café, meeting rooms, and social areas in the foyer encourage users to extend their stay to "people watch" and socialize with other members of their community.

The facility houses a 52m competition pool including 2 movable bulkheads, thus providing a 50m competition tank and spectator seating to Canada Games standards. The moveable floor and bulkheads allow the pool operators to segment the 52m pool and provide a variety of activities in one pool tank.

The excitement in the leisure pool knows no bounds when the wave machine is generating a series of waves that can be varied in pattern and height. Toddlers can paddle along the zero beach with waves lapping at their toes while teens "surf" the waves in the deeper end of the leisure pool.

The impressive décor package reflects the west coast maritime history of Nanaimo. Complete with a scale replica of a commercial fishing boat, a leaping Orca spray feature, and banners hand painted by local artists

The two waterslides with their separate shutdown lanes offer a fun ride for kids of all ages. The blue slide is 9.1m high (30ft.) and descends 90m (295ft.). The green slide is 13.7m high (45ft) and drops 105.1m (345ft.). The green slide is the highest indoor waterslide west of the West Edmonton Mall.