The Northern Rockies Regional Municipality marked the official opening of the final phase of its new recreation centre on Sept. 11 with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
The centre unofficially opened in June, and has seen a dramatic increase in usage, the municipality reports.
“I am very proud to be here today to officially open the first of what I believe will be many community projects made possible through our landmark infrastructure agreement with the province," Mayor Bill Streeper said in a statement.
The centre includes a new Aquatic Centre with a six-lane lap pool and three-storey water slide, along with a climbing wall, squash and racquetball courts, a walking track and play space, meeting facilities, and more.
The new centre replaces the old Fort Nelson Rec Centre, which was destroyed in a roof collapse in 2007.
After the incident, construction began immediately on what is now the secondary arena. That opened six months later.
The primary arena, community hall and visitor centre opened in August 2011 and work started on the Aquatic Centre, and other fitness facilities last June. In the spring of 2013, the latest $34 million expansion was passed through a referendum.
At last week's opening, Streeper dedicated the David Bruce Room to recognize David Bruce, who served as project supervisor on the centre, but died before the final phase was completed.
