With a new pool opening soon, Yellowknife mulls what to do with its old one

As Yellowknife prepares for the eventual opening of its new pool, it's also trying to figure out what to do with its old one.

Garett Cochrane, deputy mayor of Yellowknife, told CBC he would like to see the city use the Ruth Inch Memorial Pool — a building that's been standing for more than 35 years — instead of selling it, but it's expensive to keep.

"I would like to see it put as a multi-use space, so not only having a library, [I would] love to see a skatepark here, maybe an arts space," he said.

"This place has been a key point of my childhood growing up, as it is for many people in this town."

Aislinn Stirling-Crosby, the co-owner of Overlander Sports, grew up in Yellowknife. She envisions uses for the old pool like "a skatepark or an art gallery would make great additions to the community," but questions who would be paying for it. 

Stirling-Crosby said it might make sense to sell the pool and let someone else develop it, rather than adding another expense to the city. 

According to the city's website, the Ruth Inch Memorial Pool will remain open until the city's new aquatic centre is completed and opened. 

City manager Stephen Van Dine told CBC they are still assessing the old pool building.  

"Right now, it's early days. We've retained a technical consultant to give us some advice on how to maintain the building in good standing to have it available for some other purpose at some point," he said.  

Van Dine said the city is also looking at how to involve Yellowknifers in deciding what to do with the old pool. 

He said as a territorial capital and being a destination hub, the city will "turn their attention to utilization" to make sure visitors and residents know about the new pool facility and can enjoy "all that it has to offer."