On Sunday February 5^th, an official ceremony for the grand reopening of the Rady JCC pool was held at the Asper Campus auditorium.

The major attraction is a brand new $100,000 water slide that was installed by Commercial Pool, which also maintains the pool itself.

The renovation, which amounted to $380,000, also involved a beautiful, completely new pool deck done by Fabris and Watts. The previous acrylic deck was 20 years old, and was becoming difficult to maintain. New energy efficient LED lighting in the pool area was supplied by Superlite. The pool area also underwent a fresh coat of paint, and new lockers were added to the family change room.

Gayle Waxman, executive director of the Rady JCC, says “The project was managed by Curtis Martin , executive director at the Asper Campus and was completed in record time. We have had very positive feedback from the public about the renovations and the new water slide.” 

In order to determine which lucky members would be first down the slide, participants submitted stories about their time in the pool. Some stories went back as far as the old YMHA on Hargrave Avenue.

Among the winners were Micha Elazar, Asher Schwartz, David Shrom, Isle Slotin and Simon and Paul Narvey.

Jim Carr, member of Parliament for Winnipeg South, issued the following greetings for the grand reopening of the pool:

“I want to thank you for inviting me to be a part of the festivities today. Please accept my regrets that I am not able to be there personally.

The Rady JCC is a cornerstone of our community. Not only does it help our community lead healthy lives by providing state-of-the-art facilities that offer a variety of activities and spaces to play, grow and learn together. It is also a welcoming, cultural space that is open to all, and I am proud to be a member.
 

Thank you for your leadership in helping individuals grow to their full potential and to lead healthy lives with FitFest and this renewed facility. I look forward to enjoying the newly renovated space when I am back in my home community.
 

Congratulations on this exciting day and I wish you a successful event."

A portion of the renovation cost was undertaken by the RJCC and fundraising, while the federal government provided funding of $180,000 to the Asper Campus, a grant in celebration of Canada 150.

The Rady JCC has some 4000 children in its aquatic programs and the new waterslide is expected to be a big hit with young families. The Rady JCC also has a large aqua fitness program. Waxman says that “ The waterslide and pool are getting well used – as always.  The waterslide is open Saturday and Sundays from 1:30 to 3:30 every week and on special occasions.  For example, we will be opening the water slide for our next Tween program on March 25 from 6:30 – 9:30.” 

The grand reopening of the pool coincided with the Rady JCC Fitfest on February 5^th, which  offered free massage, cutting edge fitness classes, waterslide and family swim, group cycle and fitness challenges, fat tire outdoor bikes, free reflexology, wall climbing and prizes. According to Waxman, about 900 people participated in Fitfest throughout the course of the day.