Hay River (Apr 24/06) - Hay River residents can circle May 6 on their calendars. That's the target date for the public opening of the community's new aquatic centre.

"The majority of the work is finished," said Ross deBoer, the Town of Hay River's recreation director, late last week.

Ross deBoer, the recreation director for the Town of Hay River, stands next to the large water slide in the community's soon-to-open aquatic centre. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

DeBoer said he has been getting calls from people wondering when the new pool will open.

"I expect it will be pretty busy," he said.

He said he is pleased with the final cost of the aquatic centre. It was budgeted at $6.8 million, plus a $250,000 contingency fund, and is coming in at around $7 million.

"The budget hasn't changed much," he said. "We're very pleased with the numbers."

However, the pool was originally targeted to open last fall.

Town representatives, engineers and architects will meet May 3-4 to discuss the project and sign off for its completion, if all parties are satisfied. The final day for the existing Centennial Pool was scheduled to be April 23.

The new aquatic centre will feature a four-lane, 25-metre pool, a water slide, hot tubs and steam room. The overall recreation complex -- including the new pool and the existing arena and curling rink -- will be known as the Don Stewart Recreation Centre.

The pool itself will be known as Rowe's Aquatic Centre.