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Renovations are now complete on the Fritz Sick Pool changing rooms. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

Newly-renovated Fritz Sick Pool changing rooms reopen

Jun 17, 2025 | 10:36 AM

A public swimming pool in downtown Lethbridge has been made more accessible.

The Fritz Sick Pool has officially reopened after being closed since November 2024 due to renovations.

The project has seen several upgrades to improve accessibility and safety in the changing rooms, including:

  • Barrier-free showers and toilet stalls.
  • Two new women’s showers (bringing the total to five) plus a universal shower.
  • Widened access points to the pool and locker rooms.
  • A new open, accessible entrance leading to a larger lobby with a barrier-free counter.
  • Non-slip flooring throughout all locker rooms, washrooms, and shower areas.
  • Updated wheelchair ramps for easier mobility.

Sunni Belle, General Manager of Recreation Excellence, says guests have been looking forward to diving back into the pool.

“The anticipation for the facility to open from the public was huge,” says Belle. “Everybody was just so excited to get back to Fritz Sick Pool, get back to their programming. Although we moved a lot of the programming to other facilities, it’s not the same as being in your home pool.”

Located within the Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization building, she says the accessibility upgrades have been welcomed with open arms. She told LNN that, previously, it was difficult for people in a wheelchair or who had other mobility challenges to navigate the changing rooms.

It is not just the swimmers who have been enjoying the newly renovated facility, however.

Belle says, “The staff are overjoyed because we have an open, wonderful, welcoming area to welcome our guests. The back staff areas have been upgraded with a lot more storage and seating areas for them to be able to do the work that they do.”

The initial plan was to have the renovations completed sometime in the spring, but with the facility being as old as it is, some additional work needed to be done to ensure it stayed up to code and with modern standards for accessibility.

The Fritz Sick Pool opened in 1950, making it the city’s oldest pool that is still in operation. It was originally an outdoor pool and was enclosed 15 years later.

The total cost of the renovations was $1,005,308, going over its initial budget of $900,000.

Robin Harper, General Manager of Recreation and Culture with the City of Lethbridge, says it will help to extend the life and functionality of the pool.

With it being 75 years old, however, he says it is hard to know how much extra time they bought for it.

Renovations are now complete on the Fritz Sick Pool changing rooms. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)
Renovations are now complete on the Fritz Sick Pool changing rooms. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)
Renovations are now complete on the Fritz Sick Pool changing rooms. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)
Renovations are now complete on the Fritz Sick Pool changing rooms. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)
Renovations are now complete on the Fritz Sick Pool changing rooms. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)
Renovations are now complete on the Fritz Sick Pool changing rooms. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

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