The Frank J. Dunn Pool in Carlton Comprehensive High School will become a new space in the near future.
Crews poured concrete into the pool as part of the decommissioning process on Thursday, sealing off the area, which served Prince Albert swimmers since 1974.
The Saskatchewan Rivers School Division and City of Prince Albert announced the closing of the facility in November, 2024 with the new Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre being built.
Saskatchewan Rivers director of education Neil Finch said that the decommissioning is going very well.
“We are in the initial stages of (deciding) what we will do with the space,” Finch said in a statement to the Herald. “No decisions have been made yet. Once they are, it will be public at an open Board meeting. We are a few months away from a decision being made.”
Frank J. Dunn Pool was built in 1973-74 and incorporated into Carlton, the largest high school in Saskatchewan as measured by the student population.
Saskatchewan Rivers School Division Superintendent of Facilities Derek Blais explained that the project began before his term with the division began on Sept. 15, 2025.
“The project was tendered at the end of July, so it was awarded in late August and then it started before I started my role,” Blais said. “My job now is to ensure that the decommissioning is fully executed as intended.”
The process has had several stages according to Blais.
“It’s basically removing all of the pool equipment, all of the piping and all of the related fixtures there and demolition of the associated mechanical or electrical systems,” Blais said.
“Then (they) infill of the pools themselves. (It’s) putting in the new structural steel with the concrete deck and just sort of stabilizing that whole area along with some minor interior renos. Essentially, it’s the whole cycling up to ensure that it’s safe and ready for any future use.”
Blais said that RNF Ventures has awards subcontracts to complete the project as they were the contractor awarded the tender.
He said they hope to complete the project by the end of February.
With the pool being more than 50 years old, City of Prince Albert Parks, Recreation, and Culture Director Jody Boulet said they were worried about increased maintenance costs.
In 2024, the City contributed slightly more than $350,000 in operating costs for the pool. The City covers 62 per cent of operating costs under the joint use agreement, with Sask. Rivers covering the remaining 38 per cent. The two parties split capital expenses 50/50.
Boulet said the opening of the state-of-the-art Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre in the spring of 2025 marked a new chapter in local aquatics and recreation.
“The Frank J. Dunn Pool holds a special place in the hearts of many,” said Boulet. “While it’s bittersweet to see it retire, the new Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre will provide even greater opportunities for recreation and education.”
–With Daily Herald files
