{"id":433179,"date":"2026-01-25T23:21:14","date_gmt":"2026-01-25T23:21:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/433179\/"},"modified":"2026-01-25T23:21:14","modified_gmt":"2026-01-25T23:21:14","slug":"saugeen-shores-celebrates-opening-of-pryde-aquatic-and-wellness-centre","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/433179\/","title":{"rendered":"Saugeen Shores celebrates opening of Pryde Aquatic and Wellness Centre"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Published Jan 24, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 8\u00a0hours ago \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 4 minute read<\/p>\n

\"TownTown of Saugeen Shores Mayor Luke Charbonneau and members of the Breakers Swim Team partake in a ceremonial cannonball to officially open the eight-lane pool at the new Pryde Aquatic and Wellness Centre in Port Elgin on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. Greg Cowan\/The Sun TimesArticle content<\/p>\n

Mayor Luke Charbonneau\u2019s long-awaited ceremonial cannonball went off without a hitch Saturday morning.<\/p>\n

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The mayor leaped into the heated eight-lane pool at the brand new state-of-the-art Pryde Aquatic and Wellness Centre in Port Elgin as hundreds of onlookers celebrated the grand opening of the new building.<\/p>\n

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Talk about making a splash.<\/p>\n

The ribbon was going to be cut on Saturday for the nearly $50 million community project, years in the making, come blizzard or cold water.<\/p>\n

Luckily for the residents, sponsors and leaders of Saugeen Shores, the sun was shining through the many windows of the new facility, and the heating system was working well and good.<\/p>\n

\"The The Breakers Swim Team held time trials in the new eight-lane pool during the grand opening of the Pryde Aquatic and Wellness Centre in Port Elgin on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. Greg Cowan\/The Sun Times<\/p>\n

Persistence is a word that was uttered more than once by those who spoke on Saturday morning.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis building is a reflection of the community that made it possible. Residents, volunteers, businesses, donors and leaders, who believe in this town and have always been willing to invest in it,\u201d Charbonneau said.<\/p>\n

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The mayor, who has served on council for two decades, thanked the councillors, mayors, staff, and community members who all contributed to the creation of the new aquatic and wellness centre after it became clear the Centennial Pool, built in 1975, was reaching the end of its life.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis centre will improve health, create opportunities and bring people together,\u201d he said. \u201cA place where everyone in Saugeen Shores can belong.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brad and Kathy Pryde donated $1 million to help kick off fundraising efforts for the new facility.<\/p>\n

The well-known community members who established the PRANCE (Pegasus Riding Association Nurturing Challenged Equestrians) therapeutic equestrian program at their farm are champions of community wellness.<\/p>\n

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On Saturday, Brad Pryde spoke about the importance of having a space in a community that can bring people together.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you create those spaces, you support people at every stage of life,\u201d he said. \u201cIt strengthens both the body and spirit.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Brad Brad Pryde speaks during the grand opening of the Pryde Aquatic and Wellness Centre in Port Elgin on Saturday. Brad and Kathy Pryde donated $1 million to help the new facility become a reality. Greg Cowan\/The Sun Times<\/p>\n

The community\u2019s Just Add Water fundraising campaign is nearing its $3 million fundraising goal. To donate, visit www.justaddwaternow.ca<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Breakers Swim Team donated $195,000 to cover 75 per cent of the cost of electronic pool timing equipment.<\/p>\n

The Breakers will host competitive and invitational swim meets at the new facility, its new home after 50 years at the Centennial Pool.<\/p>\n

Breakers president and coach Jeff Horseman spoke about the club\u2019s history, from its formation in the \u201970s, when a group of swimmers got together at a Lake Huron break wall, to decades of competition at the town\u2019s now-defunct Centennial pool.<\/p>\n

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\u201cCentennial pool did its job,\u201d Horseman said. \u201cThis is our new home.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Pryde Aquatic and Wellness Centre features an eight-lane pool, a warm water leisure pool, a fitness centre, a dual indoor gymnasium, and an indoor track. There are also several multi-use program areas. It was all shining and new on Saturday.<\/p>\n

\"A A mural by artist Jeannette Ladd welcomes visitors to the new Pryde Aquatic and Wellness Centre. Greg Cowan\/The Sun Times<\/p>\n

The building is connected to The Plex, a multi-use facility that includes an ice pad with 1,100 spectator seats, an arena floor, a community hall, and the Town\u2019s administration offices.<\/p>\n

Much of the $49.9 million cost of the aquatic and wellness centre was financed through the town\u2019s Legacy Fund and development charges.<\/p>\n

Council created the Legacy Fund in 2019 to raise money for future large, significant projects, especially for recreational and cultural uses, such as a new pool facility.<\/p>\n

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Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson presented a cheque and commented on the work done with the $100,600 Capital Grant that the provincial government\u2019s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) had provided last summer. Funds from the OTF grant were used to purchase gymnasium equipment, as well as sports equipment for pickleball, volleyball, floor hockey, and badminton, and accessible aquatic equipment.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe opening of the Pryde Aquatic and Wellness Centre marks a proud moment for this community and reflects a shared commitment to health, inclusion, and active living,\u201d said Thompson.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Town of Saugeen Shores is selling \u201cactive passes\u201d for the Pryde Aquatic and Wellness Centre.<\/p>\n

Fees range from $675 for an annual adult all-access pass to $180 for a child (ages three to 13) and $270 for youth and students. Passes are also available for just aquatic or just fitness. Drop-in programs, registered programs, facility rentals and birthday party and celebration packages are all available.<\/p>\n

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The Town of Saugeen Shore\u2019s business plan indicates the Pryde Aquatic and Wellness Centre will be able to support its own operating costs by 2027.<\/p>\n

\"Town Town of Saugeen Shores Mayor Luke Charbonneau speaks in front of sponsors, service groups, and residents at the grand opening of the Pryde Aquatic and Wellness Centre in Port Elgin on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. Greg Cowan\/The Sun Times<\/p>\n

The centre will open for regular operational hours on Monday, Jan. 26, beginning at 6 a.m. For more information about hours, programs, and memberships, visit\u00a0www.saugeenshores.ca\/PrydeAWC<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Following speeches and the ceremonial cannonball, Saturday\u2019s grand opening featured facility tours, a community mural painting, a colouring contest, a photo booth, and refreshments before the Breakers Swim Team conducted time trials.<\/p>\n

After party activities included an open gym session and a fun swim.<\/p>\n

\"A A mural by DRIFT Mural Co. lines the wall of the fitness centre at the new Pryde Aquatic Centre in Port Elgin. Greg Cowan\/The Sun Times<\/p>\n

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