KENORA – Today, Member of Provincial Parliament, Greg Rickford joined the Kenora Swim Sharks and coaching staff, Mayor Andrew Poirier and Council, and community leaders to announce $326,198 from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) for improved accessibility and enhancements of the Aquatic Centre at the Moncrief Construction Sports Centre, bringing it to world-class aquatic standards.
“This is about community. It’s about a vision,” said Greg Rickford, Member of Provincial Parliament for Kenora- Rainy River. “In order for this to be the kind of pool where we can enhance our ability to send athletes around the world to international competitions, we needed to bring it home—bring it to our home. When records are being set, they will be done in this pool, with our community celebrating the achievements of our athletes, together.”
This investment will fund a new headwall, starting blocks with step access, backstroke equipment and a digital timing and display system, providing the aquatic centre with the appropriate equipment needed to train for high-level competitions, while ensuring accessibility for all users. These upgrades will also enhance the facility’s ability to host local, regional and provincial competitions, with the pool meeting legal 25-metre Swim Canada standards.
Made possible through sustained partnership with the Province of Ontario, the City of Kenora, and community leaders, these improvements will also create new opportunities for seniors, youth, para-athletes and Indigenous communities throughout the region.
“Welcoming more than 142,000 visits in 2025, the Moncrief Construction Sports Centre plays an important role in the health and wellbeing of our community,” said Mayor Andrew Poirier. “We are grateful to Hon. Greg Rickford and the Government of Ontario for supporting these aquatic upgrades, which will enhance opportunities for recreation, competition, and community connection for years to come. This investment demonstrates what can be achieved when the Province, the City, and community partners work together.”
For the Kenora Swim Sharks, the investment represents the opportunity for athletes to have the equipment needed to appropriately learn to swim, dive and compete at their highest level.
“We have so many athletes here that believe in bigger dreams,” said Janet Hyslop, Head Coach for Kenora Swim Sharks. “They see talented athletes representing our community on national and international levels, and breaking records like Sophie English. They know that it’s possible to do what they want to do, here in this pool.”