The City is replacing the aging Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre with a high-quality health and wellness facility that is climate resilient and universally accessible.
Why now?
Following a public referendum that supported the loan required to build a new facility, Council directed staff to proceed to detailed design and construction for the new facility.
Artistic rendering of the fitness area of the new facility by hcma Architecture + Design.
Artistic rendering of the lobby of the new facility by hcma Architecture + Design.
Artistic rendering of the pool area of the new facility by hcma Architecture + Design.
Latest News
June 11, 2026 - Quarterly Update
The Crystal Pool Replacement Project is underway, currently in the planning and design phase, and on track with the schedule and budget.
The facility design continued to progress this quarter with the team refining the building layout and key program elements.
Construction manager procurement is complete, with Etro-Durwest, a Vancouver-Victoria joint venture alliance, joining the project team as construction managers. Awarding this contract completes the core project team, representing a major milestone for the project. Etro-Durwest brings extensive experience delivering aquatic and recreational facilities across B.C. and will provide practical constructability advice, local market insight and cost-planning support as the design continues to advance.
For the interim facility at 851 Broughton Street, recreation services planning is nearing completion while design and procurement for facility upgrades are ongoing with consulting services underway. Additional details about the transition to the interim facility, including anticipated closure and opening dates, will be shared through future updates as planning advances.
Planning for engagement with the Songhees Nation and Xwsepsum Nation also progressed this quarter, with detailed engagement planned to begin in Q2 2026.
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Timeline
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Design: 21 months
Construction: 41 months
Demolition to start near design completion
New facility open 62 months after start of project
FAQ
The Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre is planned to close in fall 2026, to allow for construction of the City's new health and wellness facility. The permanent closing date, interim recreation services opening date plus information about a ceremony to honour the Crystal Pool will be shared in coming months.
The City will open an interim recreation facility in fall 2026 at 851 Broughton Street to continue providing core recreation services including swim lessons and clubs, aqua fit, gym and fitness programs.
Residents can expect continuity of core recreation services, such as swim lessons, clubs, aqua fit, gym and fitness programs.
The City will work to balance competing demands for pool access but overall availability will be reduced due to the pool’s smaller size.
A team of experts with a track record of successfully delivering pool and recreation facilities across the country are working on the replacement project. The budgets follow the City's updated financial policies that ensure ample contingencies are included to manage risks effectively. The budget estimates have factored in the current stage of the project, market escalation and volatility plus inflation over the life of the project. Robust risk management and governance strategies are also being used to ensure scope, timelines and costs are well managed.
The City will be pursuing all opportunities for additional funding for the replacement project. The City has applied for multiple grants including a $25 million from the federal government and $7 million from UBCM. The project team will continue to pursue other funding or revenue-generating avenues, such as sponsorships and naming rights for the new facility.
The new facility aims to be a place where everyone feels welcome. Accessibility and inclusion are embedded into all aspects of the new facility's design, features and future operations.
The new facility design follows universal design principles and will pursue Rick Hansen Gold Certification. Universal design ensures meaningful access to all parts of the facility. Key features include:
fully accessible circulation
clear wayfinding
multiple options to access pools
level transitions throughout the facility
large universal washroom and change rooms
With a focus on the intersectional needs of our communities, the new facility will promote all facets of physical, mental and social health and wellness to benefit people of all ages, abilities, backgrounds and experiences.
The design for the new Crystal Pool and Wellness Centre is a high-quality health and wellness facility that is climate resilient and universally accessible.
Features of the new pool area will include:
50 m pool with moveable bulkhead
Leisure pool with 25 m warm-up lanes, a shallow area, play features and a lazy river
Two hot pools at different temperatures
Sauna and steam room
Seating and viewing areas
The recreation centre will also have:
Large fitness studio
Multi-purpose rooms for sports, dance, fitness, wellness and art
Gymnasium
Community gathering spaces
Universal washroom and change room options
Expanded parking including accessible and EV charging options
Short- and long-term bike parking
The Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre is at the end of its useful life and is no longer meeting the needs of the community. An in-depth facility assessment has revealed that many of the building systems and components are failing and require significant investment to keep the facility operational. The pool drainage system, waterproofing and parts of the building structure including the skylights are at greatest risk of failure. The facility also has accessibility barriers that prevent equitable use, plus the building is the City’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases.
As the City’s only public pool and a provider of a wide range of programming, this facility provides an essential service to residents and visitors in Victoria. Replacing this facility will ensure that it continues to meet the community’s social, health and wellness needs for years to come. Recreation centres play an important role in building strong, inclusive and resilient communities. A new Crystal Pool facility will create opportunities for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to enjoy the spaces and programs.
