Work has begun to add a few millimetres to the outdoor competition pool at the Simmons Sports Centre in Charlottetown after the company that built it found the basin came up slightly short of the exact length required for sanctioned events.
Small change, significant for competitions
City officials say crews will increase the pool length by about 8 to 12 millimetres — roughly the length of an M&M candy — to reach the precise 25.000-metre standard set by Swimming Canada. Work began on Sept. 11 and is expected to take about five to seven days, the city said.
The outdoor pool opened in June 2025 and was intended to host community programming and meet the technical dimensions necessary for competitive swimming. The contractor responsible for construction discovered the shortfall and will carry out and pay for the corrective work, according to a city statement.
What the repair involves
The corrective process is not simply adding material to one end. City communications outline the sequence of tasks that crews will carry out:
- grinding the existing pool surface to precisely remove and re-profile the edge;
- sealing the repaired surface to ensure watertight integrity;
- repainting the basin to restore a uniform finish and lane markings.
The city said the company that built the pool began the remediation work on Sept. 11 and accepted responsibility for the fix.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Required length | 25.000 metres |
| Planned addition | 8–12 millimetres |
| Estimated work time | 5–7 days |
| Work components | Grinding, sealing, repainting |
Why millimetres matter
Competitive swimming is governed by precise facility standards; short-course pools used for official times and meets must measure exactly 25 metres to ensure fairness and the validity of times for records and qualification. Even a few millimetres can render times non-compliant with national rules, affecting athletes seeking qualifying standards for championships or record recognition.
For local swimmers and clubs, the correction means the pool can fulfil its intended dual role as a community facility and as a venue suitable for sanctioned meets once the work is finished and any inspections or certifications are completed.
Local impact and next steps
Officials have not said whether programming at the Simmons Sports Centre will be disrupted while crews complete the surface work, but the short time-frame suggests any closures would be brief. The city also said Swimming Canada could not be immediately reached for comment.
Municipalities across the province have invested in recreation infrastructure in recent years, and ensuring those investments meet national technical standards is part of delivering value to local athletes and the broader community. The fact the contractor is funding the fix removes an expense from the municipal budget and should speed the timeline for returning the pool to full compliance.
Residents who use the Simmons Sports Centre for lap swimming or lessons should monitor the city’s notices for any temporary lane closures or schedule changes while the work proceeds. Once completed, the pool will be able to host official short-course events and continue serving Charlottetown’s swimmers and recreation users.
This account is based on a statement from the City of Charlottetown and reporting by The Canadian Press.
