Swan River prioritizes arena, aquatic centre improvements

The Town of Swan River is moving ahead with several major recreation and infrastructure projects as part of its 2026 capital budget, including early planning for a new arena, upgrades to Legion Park and continued investment in the community’s aquatic centre.

Mayor Lance Jacobson said the projects reflect council’s focus on maintaining important community spaces while preparing for future growth.

“We’re moving ahead with it,” Jacobson said of the proposed new arena project. “We’re going with the next steps.”

The arena project is currently in the pre-design phase, with council committing $1 million toward the work through a combination of grants and reserve funding. The goal is to bring the project to a “shovel-ready” stage so the town can compete for larger provincial and federal infrastructure funding opportunities.

Jacobson said fundraising and external government support will be critical before construction can begin, noting the community’s existing Centennial Arena is showing its age.

“Arenas are kind of the heartbeat of many communities,” he said.

“Our old one, our Centennial that we have right now, next year it turns 60 years old. It’s getting up there in age.”

Another major recreation project planned for 2026 is the revitalization of Legion Park.

The town has secured $245,000 through Manitoba’s GRO Fund to support upgrades that include repaving, accessibility improvements, additional lighting, stage upgrades, baseball diamond improvements and general safety enhancements.

Construction is expected to begin in 2026.

Jacobson said the project builds on earlier community fundraising efforts and responds to growing maintenance needs within the park.

“Council feels that it’s a priority,” he said.

“We’re looking at widening paths down there, walking paths, and we’re also looking at lighting up the park pathways even more.”

He said the park remains one of Swan River’s central gathering places, particularly during summer events and celebrations.

“Stage upgrades, opportunity for anything that we can do from Canada Day to other events that are held down in the park,” Jacobson said. “It’s just such a nice place to gather.”

The town is also pursuing upgrades to Veterans Hall through two separate grant-dependent projects focused on modernization, accessibility improvements and security enhancements. Funding applications have already been submitted.

At the aquatic centre, several projects are moving ahead following ongoing infrastructure concerns and maintenance requirements.

A new hot tub replacement project has been approved after the facility’s existing hot tub suffered what the town described as a critical failure and could no longer be repaired. The replacement is budgeted at $350,000 from reserves and is expected to be completed in 2026.

Additional aquatic centre work includes a $250,000 pool hanger replacement project that began in 2025 and is scheduled for completion by June 2026.

The project involves replacing structural supports connected to underfloor piping infrastructure and the facility’s surge tank.

Other projects include a roof assessment to investigate leaks, pool filter replacement work and safety lighting upgrades.

“While many of these upgrades are not highly visible, they are essential to maintaining safe and reliable operations,” town officials noted in budget documents.

» Winnipeg Sun