The City of Prince Albert is marking the first anniversary of the Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre with a special $5 public swim on Saturday, September 5, following a first year that brought nearly 400,000 visitors through the facility.
The anniversary event will run from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., with admission set at $5 per person and free entry for children aged five and under. The celebration comes one year after the recreation complex opened its doors on September 5, 2025.
Since opening, the Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre has recorded approximately 397,000 visits, as residents and visitors have used the facility for swimming, fitness, recreation programs, lessons and community events.
Nearly 400,000 Visitors Recorded During First Year
City officials say the attendance figures demonstrate strong demand for expanded recreational infrastructure in Prince Albert and the surrounding region.
“The first year of operation has exceeded expectations,” said Jody Boulet, Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture. “We’ve seen residents and visitors embrace the facility for fitness, swimming lessons, recreation, and community activities. Reaching almost 400,000 visitors in our first year is a remarkable milestone and highlights the important role this facility plays in Prince Albert. The strong participation we’re seeing across all areas of the facility shows just how important accessible recreation opportunities are for our community.”
Aquatic programming has been one of the facility’s strongest areas of growth. The leisure centre remains on track to record 70,000 annual aquatic admissions in 2026.
That represents a substantial increase compared with the former Frank Dunn Pool, which recorded 19,352 admissions in 2022, its strongest year of operation.
Swimming Lessons and Lifeguard Training Expand
The larger facility has also allowed Prince Albert to significantly increase the number of spaces available for swimming lessons and aquatic leadership programs.
From September through December 2026, approximately 1,750 spaces are expected to be available through swimming lessons and lifeguard certification courses. Another 1,350 spaces were offered earlier in the year.
By comparison, the former Frank Dunn Pool and Kinsmen Water Park provided approximately 750 swimming lesson spaces annually.
The expanded capacity gives more residents access to swimming instruction while also supporting the development and certification of lifeguards needed to deliver aquatic services.
“We are excited to build on the momentum of our first year as we head into another busy season of aquatic programming,” said Riley Janes, Acting Aquatics Manager. “We still have openings in a number of fall swimming and leadership programs, and we encourage families to take advantage of those opportunities. Looking ahead, we’re also planning some fun themed public swims, including Halloween and Christmas events that we know will be popular with residents of all ages.”
Residents can review available swimming lesson schedules and register online through the city’s registration portal.
Leisure Centre Begins Hosting Provincial Swimming Events
The Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre also reached a competitive-sport milestone during its first year by hosting its first swimming competition.
The Prince Albert Pikes Artistic Swimming Club hosted Saskatchewan Artistic Swimming at the facility, attracting five clubs and more than 150 athletes, coaches, officials, parents and spectators from across the province.
The event demonstrated the centre’s ability to accommodate organized competitions in addition to regular public swimming, lessons, fitness activities and community recreation.
$5 Anniversary Swim Set for September 5
The anniversary celebration provides residents with an opportunity to visit the facility as it begins its second year of operations.
The special public swim will take place Saturday, September 5, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Admission will be $5 per person, while children aged five and younger can enter free of charge.
With nearly 397,000 visitors in its inaugural year, expanding aquatic participation and significantly more programming capacity than Prince Albert’s previous facilities, the Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre enters its second year as a major component of the city’s recreation services.