Canada and New Brunswick invest in major renovation of the Canada Games Aquatic Centre in Saint John

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Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

Oct 14, 2026, 12:28 ET

SAINT JOHN, NB, Oct. 14, 2026 /CNW/ -- Building a strong Canada starts with investing in the modern and reliable infrastructure that communities need to grow, prosper, and remain resilient for generations to come.

The Government of Canada is investing $51 billion through the Build Communities Strong Fund (BCSF) to support infrastructure projects across the country that focus on economic prosperity, housing, sport, education, health, transit, and climate adaptation.

To that end, the Honourable Wayne Long, Secretary of State for Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions, the Honourable Gilles LePage, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation announced investments from the Government of Canada and the Province of New Brunswick of more than $9.3 million each, for a total of $18.6 million, for the Canada Games Aquatic Centre renovation through the Provincial and Territorial stream of the Build Communities Strong Fund.

The renovation of the Canada Games Aquatic Centre, originally constructed in 1985, will ensure that the facility is fully prepared to host the 2029 Canada Summer Games. The centre will be modernized to meet current competition standards and support athlete performance. Major upgrades will include making the facility universally accessible with barrier-free access throughout, the replacement of the main electrical system, lighting systems, HVAC equipment, and expansion of the leisure pool. The project will incorporate gender-inclusive changing areas and upgraded amenities to better serve adaptive sport participants, seniors, and individuals of all abilities. Once completed, the renovated facility will remain a high-performance, sustainable and accessible community facility for decades to come.

The Build Communities Strong Fund is a cornerstone of the Government of Canada's plan to build the infrastructure needed to build Canada strong – today and for generations to come. 

Quotes

"Through our partnership with New Brunswick and the Fundy Regional Service Commission, this investment in the Canada Games Aquatic Centre will help establish the foundation for a successful and memorable 2029 Canada Summer Games. This renovation project will modernize and extend the lifespan of the facility,  providing lasting benefits for the community and our next generation of athletes for at least another 40 years. Together, we are delivering the infrastructure needed to support growing communities and improve the quality of life for New Brunswickers."

The Honourable Wayne Long, Secretary of State for Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions

"Sport has the power to shape lives and connect communities like very little else can. As we look ahead to welcoming the country for the 2029 Canada Summer Games, modernizing the Canada Games Aquatic Centre will prepare Saint John for a world-class competition while building a lasting legacy. From young children taking their first lesson to high-performance athletes training on their path from the playground to the podium, this investment ensures everyone in the region has access to a safe, modern, and fully barrier-free facility for decades to come."

The Honourable Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State (Sport)

"Hosting the 2029 Canada Summer Games is a significant moment for New Brunswick. By investing in these upgrades, we are helping ensure the Canada Games Aquatic Centre is ready to welcome athletes from across the country, while strengthening a community asset that will continue to serve residents and families long after the Games are over."

The Honourable Gilles LePage, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation

"For 40 years, the Canada Games Aquatic Centre has proudly brought people from across our region together to compete, play, exercise and connect. Today, along with the seven members of the Fundy Regional Service Commission and residents from across our region, we are delighted to celebrate this remarkable investment by the federal and provincial governments --an investment that will transform this cherished facility for generations to come. This exciting modernization marks a new chapter for the facility and will create even more opportunities for residents and athletes of all abilities to achieve, connect and make lasting memories for another 40 years and beyond."

John MacKenzie, Chair of the Fundy Regional Service Commission

Quick Facts

  • The Government of Canada is investing $9,332,400 in this project through the Provincial and Territorial stream of the Build Communities Strong Fund while the Government of New Brunswick is contributing $9,332,400.
  • Under the Provincial and Territorial stream of the Build Communities Strong Fund, the province of New Brunswick is allocated approximately $461,442,000 to support provincial and territorial infrastructure priorities.
  • Starting in 2026-27, the Build Communities Strong Fund will deliver funding through three major streams:
    • A Provincial and Territorial stream, which provides $17.2 billion over 10 years, including $5 billion in health infrastructure funding over three years;
    • A Direct Delivery stream, which provides $6 billion over 10 years, including $1 billion over 4 years as part of a Local Impact Stream that is being delivered by Canada's Regional Development Agencies to support community infrastructure projects with local impact; and,
    • A Community stream (formerly the Canada Community-Building Fund), which provides $27.8 billion over 10 years and, indexed at 2% to deliver $3 billion per year ongoing.
  • The Provincial and Territorial stream supports long-term provincial and territorial infrastructure priorities through bilateral funding agreements with the Government of Canada.
  • The Buy Canadian Policy is an important part of the Build Communities Strong Fund. It will help ensure that more of every public dollar goes right into the Canadian economy – creating Canadian careers, using Canadian resources, and benefiting Canadian communities.
  • The Build Communities Strong Fund will help create thousands of good jobs, including careers in the skilled trades, by encouraging the use of Red Seal endorsed tradespeople, apprentices, and unionized labour. 
  • The Build Communities Strong Fund will be a force multiplier in infrastructure – with funding that will be matched by nearly $17 billion from provinces, and additional billions leveraged through municipal and territorial partnerships as well as private capital. The fund will also boost Canada's GDP by $95 billion over the next decade. 
  • Project funding is subject to the signing of a contribution agreement between the Government of Canada and the recipient.
  • Federal funding is conditional on fulfilling requirements, including those related to consultation with Indigenous peoples and environmental assessment obligations, if applicable.

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SOURCE Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

Contacts: For more information (media only), please contact: Piper McWilliams, Communications Advisor, Office of the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, 819-955-1813, [email protected]; Media Relations, Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, Email: [email protected]; Tosin Abe, Communications Officer, Regional Development Corporation, Government of New Brunswick, [email protected]; Brenda MacCallum, Director of Community Development & Public Relations, Fundy Regional Service Commission, [email protected]

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