Wave hello to Coquitlam's newly opened $32 million outdoor pool | Daily Hive

The new Mundy Park Pool. (City of Coquitlam)

Just in time for summer, Coquitlam’s new Mundy Park Pool — previously named Spani Outdoor Pool — has made a big splashy comeback with a new significantly expanded, modernized, family-friendly design and a range of new features.

The outdoor swimming pool, located on the west side of Mundy Park near the Laurentian Belaire neighbourhood, officially reopened earlier this month following a major redevelopment that replaces the original facility, which previously served the community for more than half a century.

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The facility is designed to serve as a hub for leisure swimmers, aquatic programs, swim meets, and summer fun. The Coquitlam Sharks Swim Club have also returned to the facility, using it as their training hub and a venue for local competitions.

The upgrades are designed to increase the facility’s capacity, with up to 100 per cent more drop-in swimmers and up to 50 per cent more swimming lessons than the old pool was able to accommodate. The City of Coquitlam anticipates the expanded facility will attract over 16,000 drop-in visits each operating season, and accommodate over 2,200 participants in swimming lessons and certification programs.

This is accomplished by a complete renovation of the existing 25-metre, eight-lane lap pool, and the construction of a new additional secondary pool for leisure use, including a shallow beach entry, splash area, and lazy river.

new mundy park pool outdoor 655 hilcrest street coquitlam

The new Mundy Park Pool. (City of Coquitlam)

Other features entail a new large warming/hot whirl pool close to the forest edge, and greatly improved facilities for events such as competitions, including expanded deck spaces for spectator seating, a lawn area for lounging, and a concession space.

Additionally, the upgraded design incorporates accessible universal change rooms (including gendered and non-gendered washrooms, lockers, and showers), accessible universal year-round Mundy Park public washrooms, a multipurpose room for workshops and training, and an improved drop-off and pick-up area.

The facility’s previous buildings were demolished to make space for a new larger support building, including new energy-efficient equipment such as air source heat pumps to heat the pool and building. The pool is illuminated by LED lighting, and there is also a pool cover to retain water heat during the overnight hours.

The new Mundy Park Pool. (City of Coquitlam)

FaulknerBrowns Architects, which operates its only international office in Vancouver outside of its European hubs of Newcastle and Dublin, led the design for the pool overhaul. Vancouver-based HCMA conducted the initial feasibility study that helped shape the concept.

The $32-million project is supported by the federal and provincial governments with $4.4 million in combined funding, and with the municipal government covering the lion’s share.

Major construction work first began in Spring 2023 for a targeted opening in Summer 2024, but there were delays due to unforeseen construction issues.

Previous condition of Spani Outdoor Pool (now known as Mundy Park Pool):

Previous condition of Spani Outdoor Pool. (Google Maps)

Configuration of the new Mundy Park Pool:

Layout of the new Mundy Park Pool in Coquitlam. (FaulknerBrowns Architects)

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