Westpark Pool in Montreal’s West Island has closed and will not be returning this summer as development for a new site has begun with an anticipated 2026 opening.
The Dollard-des-Ormeaux (DDO) community pool has been in operation for over 60 years with plans expected to be completed this fall and begin breaking ground next year with an anticipated full build of the new facility by 2025 and to be fully operational in 2026.
Karolyn Liverman, President of the Westpark Pool Association says though the closure is upsetting, it is exciting as the plans for the new facility are in collaboration with the City of Montreal, marking the end of an era but the start of the next.
“Closing a place like this is so sad, but reopening is going to be even more exciting because you’re going to have a whole new generation of kids, a whole new generation of families with brand new ideas and brand new people,” Liverman said.
Liverman said for the West Island community and longtime members, it was “gut-wrenching” to close the pool saying they had an emergency situation where the pool was leaking extensively into the construction zone beside the pool.
“We tried to see what we could do to salvage the season, but it was to no avail,” Liverman said.
Mayor of Dollard-des-Ormeaux Alex Bottausci said the goal is to have a 25 meter pool with a variety of amenities benefiting diving, synchro and swimming enthusiasts for competitions.
Bottausci also said the project will feature refurbished washrooms and changing rooms as construction is anticipated to last three to four months.
After several community consultations and surveys talking about the status of Westpark Pool, Bottausci said putting their financials to a new facility made more sense, rather than spending “good money on something that’s old,” he said.
“We decided, let’s take our money and let’s start putting the project together for this future pool that we have in mind,” he said. “The city is moving down the path of putting plans together.”
Bottausci said usually plans like this can take several seasons but hopes they will be down for only one season and on track for the 2026 opening.