Carmacks, Yukon, pool reopens after 6-year closure

The village of Carmacks, Yukon, has reopened its swimming pool after nearly six years. 

The pool first closed back in 2019 due to a host of issues with the building — from plumbing, to the electrical system, to structural integrity. 

Village mayor Justin Lachance told CBC having the pool back is about more than just recreation. 

"Being surrounded by water in Carmacks, learning water safety, learning how to swim is so important," said Lachance. "It was hard for the kids." 

Lachance explained that children needed to travel several hours to Whitehorse in order to take lessons, and the co-ordination involved was a challenge for community leaders and families. 

The federal government allocated around $340,000 from the Canada Community Building Fund for the repairs, and the Yukon government's Community Development Fund contributed around $7,000. The total cost of the project came to just under $365,000.

The village and Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation have developed a joint agreement to equally share the costs of operating the pool. 

"Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation is happy to have played a role in reopening our community swimming pool," Chief Russell Blackjack said in a press release. 

Blackjack went on to say that he hopes giving kids more opportunities to stay active and engage in a healthy lifestyle will help tackle the community's challenges with addictions. 

Lachance said the new pool will offer swimming lessons, aquafit, recreational swimming and more five days a week. 

"All the kids here play together, they play hockey together, they're at rec together, they're at baseball together, now they're at the pool... it's just another chance for them to get together," said Lachance. 

While the pool has been receiving visitors since earlier in July, the pool had its official grand opening this week.