The City of Prince Albert is celebrating a significant local donation that will enhance accessibility and user experience at one of the community’s largest public recreation projects. The Ismail family, long-time local business owners and community supporters, has contributed $50,000 toward the Aquatic Changeroom Entrance at the new Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre.
The city announced the gift this week, highlighting the family’s sustained commitment to local initiatives and their role in supporting a facility expected to serve thousands of residents and visitors each year. The donation forms part of the Play it Forward Campaign, which is helping fund the $117-million complex—Prince Albert’s most ambitious recreation investment in decades.
In acknowledging the contribution, municipal leaders emphasized both the scale of the centre and the importance of private sector support in delivering modern public amenities. Councillor Dawn Kilmer said the family’s involvement is consistent with their longstanding approach to community giving.
“Sam, Naela, and the Ismail family have always shown what it means to quietly support a community. Their sponsorship of the Aquatic Changeroom Entrance is another example of their steady commitment to Prince Albert. We are grateful for the ways they continue to invest in spaces that matter to families,” said Councillor Dawn Kilmer.
The Ismails are well known in Prince Albert’s business landscape as owners of the Twi-Lite Motel and for various reinvestments in the city over the years. Local officials say their support for charitable and community-based activities has earned them a reputation as reliable contributors to projects that strengthen family and neighbourhood life.
City representatives noted that the Aquatic Changeroom Entrance plays a fundamental role in the user experience at the sprawling leisure complex. Designed to improve flow, comfort, and accessibility for all ages and abilities, the entrance will serve patrons of the centre’s aquatic programs, lessons, and recreational swimming areas. With the Ismails’ contribution, the city says it can better ensure the space is welcoming to the thousands of individuals and families who will pass through each year.
By attaching their name to the entrance, the Ismail family is supporting an element of the facility that organizers describe as essential for safety, comfort, and inclusivity. The sponsorship, officials say, demonstrates the family’s broader commitment to making Prince Albert a more connected and active community.
“This sponsorship is more than a naming opportunity—it speaks to the family’s sustained belief in Prince Albert and their desire to contribute to a place that so many people rely on for health, activity, and connection,” added Councillor Kilmer.
The Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre has been positioned as a cornerstone project for the growing city, combining aquatic amenities, fitness areas, and other recreation spaces under one roof. City leaders expect the facility to boost long-term regional tourism potential while offering residents a reliable year-round hub for sport, wellness, and community events.
As construction continues toward full completion, municipal officials say philanthropic support remains vital. The Play it Forward Campaign seeks to close remaining funding gaps by encouraging contributions from individuals, families, businesses, and corporate partners. The Ismail family’s donation marks a notable milestone for the effort and adds to a pattern of community-rooted giving in Prince Albert.
The City of Prince Albert formally thanked the family in its announcement, emphasizing that gifts of this nature help translate large-scale capital plans into community realities.
“The City of Prince Albert sincerely thanks Sam, Naela, and the entire Ismail family for their support of the Play it Forward Campaign, helping make the $117 million Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre—a modern, state-of-the-art recreation facility—a reality.”
The centre, once fully operational, is expected to offer expanded aquatic programming, increased recreational capacity, and improved accessibility features—benefits that local leaders say would not be possible without continued engagement from residents and business owners such as the Ismail family.
With the donation now secured, the city says it will continue working with partners to finalize key elements of the complex and prepare for its eventual public opening.
