1946 – 2026 Watching Steinbach Grow: City praised for building indoor pool

October 24, 2002—-Steinbach city councillors were praised for their vision and courage in deciding to build the community’s new indoor leisure pool, which was officially opened in a short ceremony, complete with a surprise dunking of the mayor.

The gleaming, new $5.7 million Steinbach Aquatic Centre, featuring a lap pool and adjacent leisure centre boasting a large water slide, water spraying devices, “lazy river” walk, whirlpool and sauna, opened to the public late in September.

The new indoor facility is located alongside the existing outdoor pool, which will be used seasonally through a common entrance to the new centre.

Mayor Les Magnusson said the project is a tribute to city staff, among them city manager Jack Kehler, treasurer Troy Warkentin and pool manager Kim Duncan, who worked tirelessly to help the pool through design and construction.

Council finance chairman Dwight Reimer, who played a pivotal role last year in persuading council the pool was affordable, despite the higher costs, said it was long felt such a project was beyond the reach of the community.

Reimer recalled sitting in the visitors’ gallery at council sessions more than 20 years ago, when pool discussions were on the agenda.

He noted the city is financing the aquatic centre through a $2 million loan over five years and a $2 million withdrawal from reserve accounts. The remainder is being covered from current operating funds and postponement of some earlier planned public works, such as street renewals.

The new pool will benefit the region well beyond Steinbach, Provencher MP Vic Toews said, in commenting on the presence at the ceremony of officials from surrounding municipalities.

Neighboring municipalities were asked two years ago to contribute to building the pool, but turned down the request. Steinbach ratepayers are paying the entire cost of the pool, except for private donations totalling $250,000.

Major private donors to the pool include the Loewen Foundation, Biovail Corporation, Steinbach Credit Union, La Broquerie-based pork producer Hytek and Pepsi-Cola of Winnipeg.

La Verendrye MLA Jim Penner described completion of the project “as a bright day for Steinbach.”

Penner, referring to his time as the town’s recreation chairman in the early 1970s, noted his unsuccessful efforts at that time to build a pool. He commended the city council for their “bravery in making the decision.”

The MLA pointed out the project was built with virtually no provincial contribution ($20,000).

Guests at Friday’s official opening witnessed an unrehearsed dunking of Mayor Magnusson, following the formal proceedings. The mayor, receiving just a minute’s warning, was tossed in at the four-foot depth by councillors Dwight Reimer and David Banman.

It has been something of a joke among city councillors, staff and others in the community for some time that Mayor Magnusson might find it hard to top the opening of the outdoor pool, 23 years ago.

At that time, Mayor A.D. Penner, true to his flamboyant character, cannonballed off the diving board to the delight of onlookers.