Should the new outdoor pool be 25 metres in length or 50 metres? That was the dilemma Moose Jaw City Council found themselves in Monday night. 

Representatives from the Kinsmen Flying Fins Swim Club presented to council to make their case for a 50-metre pool, which they currently have with the Phyllis Dewar pool. 

The current concept plan for the new outdoor pool that will replace the Phyllis Dewar Pool will be 25-metres. 

Flying Fins president Rick Johns explained that there are two competitive swim seasons: the short-course season and the long-course season. 

“It's really important to also understand that with a long course pool that's where all the major swimming events occur, such as the Man-Sask Interprovincials, the Western Canadian Championships, the Junior Championships, Olympic Trials, and World Olympics,” Johns said. 

Above is the concept plan for a 25-metre outdoor pool to replace the Phyllis Dewar Pool. (Graphic courtesy: City of Moose Jaw)The short-course season generally takes place during the winter in a 25-metre pool, in which the Flying Fins utilize the Kinsmen Sportsplex pool. Summertime brings the long-course season which takes place in 50-metre pools. 

The Flying Fins hold one major long-course swimmer meet in June of each year. Their Summerfest meet (now known as the Mike Mintenko SummerFest) has been taking place for the past 50 years and is one of the more unique meets in Canada. 

“It's estimated that over 15,000 athletes have competed in SummerFest from all over North America. As one of the only long-course outdoor competitions offered in eight of 10 provinces, it has become one of the most popular meets in this in any other province,” Johns said. 

He noted that there are only three outdoor Olympic-sized pools left in Canada, and Moose Jaw is one of them. 

He added that SummerFest brings in about 200-250 swimmers from outside of Moose Jaw each year.  

“Just for everybody's interest, we have approximately 300 athletes per meet to the SummerFest every year,” Johns said.  

“Taking a conservative number of 200, those being from outside of Moose Jaw who bring their families and estimate spending approximately $500 in our hotels, restaurants, and businesses over the course of the weekend. That equates to about $100,000 per year invested into our community.” 

Other long-course meets in Saskatchewan take place in Swift Current, Saskatoon, and Regina. 

When asked how many meets other centres typically host, Johns said one to two meets each year is consistent with other communities. 

Director of Parks and Recreation Derek Blais said there are currently five 50-metre pools in Saskatchewan. However, he pointed to the fact that Swift Current have plans to replace their 50-metre pools with 25-metre pools and Prince Albert is currently designing a new 25-metre pool, which would just leave Saskatoon and Regina if Moose Jaw moves ahead with a 25-metre pool. 

Blais pointed to the cost of having a 50-metre pool as to why communities are moving away from the larger pool. 

The current concept plan would have the city paying $2.4 million for an eight-lane 25-metre pool, waterslide, 232 square metre leisure pool, and a splash pad. 

If the city decided to move to a 50-metre pool there would be two options. The first would include the pool, waterslide, and a small splash pad for an additional $2.7 million. The second option would eliminate the waterslide and make a bigger splash pad for an additional $2.5 million. A 50-metre pool would not leave room for the leisure pool in either option. 

me like we're working for notoriously average,” Robinson said. 

City council approved the application to ICIP for $6.5 million by a vote of 5-1 with Robinson opposed and Coun. Crystal Froese was absent. The plan is to have the new pool in place and operational by July 1, 2025.