Facility was closed in 2024 to raise the funds to replace the leaking linerPublished Jun 16, 2025 • Last updated 16 hours ago • 4 minute readAria Bragg jumps into the Annapolis Community Pool on June 13. The pool reopened after being closed in 2024 to replace the vinyl liner. Photo by Jason Malloy /Annapolis Valley RegisterLesley Hodder wiped tears from her eyes as she watched children having fun at the Annapolis Community Pool on June 13.“It’s amazing,” she said. “That’s what it’s all about – community, health and recreation, but the No. 1 thing is community.”The outdoor pool in Annapolis Royal had been closed for 653 days after it was discovered the pool was leaking and the vinyl liner needed to be replaced. With an early estimate in the $500,000 ballpark, which included some other smaller repairs, the Friends of the Annapolis Pool Society sprung into action. It launched a capital campaign that included everything from a pancake breakfast and bottle drive to a fun run, coffee sales and an art auction. Society members also met with political leaders to secure the funds needed .THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle content“It’s been a lot of work,” society chairperson Hodder said of the labour of love. “We were determined.”Read More Mission accomplished: Society surpasses $300,000 goal to replace liner in Annapolis Royal, N.S., outdoor community pool Online art auction being held to raise funds for outdoor pool in Annapolis Royal, N.S. Diving into the Deep End: New coffee raising money for Annapolis Royal, N.S., pool repairs ‘Nothing but smiles’: Non-profit society pleased with quotes for outdoor pool’s new liner in Annapolis Royal, N.S. Group eager to secure remaining funds to ensure outdoor pool in Annapolis Royal, N.S., reopens in 2025 Non-profit society preparing for fundraising campaign to reopen Annapolis Royal, N.S., outdoor pool in 2025 The Annapolis Community Pool is the only outdoor pool between Bridgetown and Digby. There used to be an indoor pool in Cornwallis Park, but it closed a few years ago, leaving the next closest facilities at 14 Wing Greenwood and Université Sainte-Anne.Article content The lifeguards at the Annapolis Community Pool were happy to welcome the community back after the Annapolis Royal-based facility was closed in 2024 for repairs. From left are Layla Vidito, Gwyn Vance Gray and Georgia Tompkins. Photo by Jason Malloy /Annapolis Valley RegisterRollercoaster of emotionsLifeguard Gwyn Vance Gray described the range of emotions since the society announced Jan. 4, 2024, the pool would need to close for the year.“We were so scared we were going to close (for good), so having it back is just an amazing feeling,” she said. “It’s so rewarding.”Gwyn lives just up the road from the pool, which is located next to the Annapolis West Education Centre (AWEC). She said it has been a big part of her life. Lifeguard Gwyn Vance Gray watches over the Annapolis Community Pool on opening night June 13. Photo by Jason Malloy /Annapolis Valley Register“I remember lots of summers as a kid watching the team of lifeguards, saying that has to be me one day.”It was because the facility brought so much joy to so many people. She is glad to see that joy return to the facility and noted a collection of volunteers, including Hodder and society secretary Anna Kate Newman, were instrumental in seeing the project through to fruition.“We would be closed without them,” Gwyn said.Article content Kids take the plunge into the Annapolis Community Pool as it reopens June 13 after being closed for a year. Photo by Jason Malloy /Annapolis Community PoolThe pool officially opened at 5 p.m. on June 13 with more than 100 people anxiously awaiting the green light to cool off.“The most amazing thing was seeing all those kids hanging around at the side of the pool,” said Annapolis Royal Mayor Amery Boyer. “Not one of them jumped in – they waited.” From left, Jack Cormier, Aria Bragg and Owen Sloan were eager for the Annapolis Community Pool in Annapolis Royal to open June 13. Photo by Jason Malloy /Annapolis Valley Register‘So fortunate’Society officials were boosted when a quote from RECA Vinyl Works was less than initially expected.The project cost about $375,000. The society had budgeted about $425,000 with contingencies built in for overruns or unexpected expenses.“We were under budget for a lot of reasons. We had a lot of in-kind (support),” Hodder said.It included a break on the lodging for the five-man crew from Ontario, someone offering them the use of their vehicle and meals being provided to the workers.“We were so fortunate,” Hodder said. “We couldn’t have done this without the community.”Article contentThree change huts were recently built by AWEC’s skilled trades class with in-kind support from the town. They were sponsored by Wagner Refrigeration, Wendy Abramson in memory of Brogan, and Meisner Excavation.And for the first time, the pool is open for swims in the afternoons in June through a wellness fund grant from the community health board. Free swim lessons are being provided again in 2025 through funding from the Annapolis West Health Foundation.Boyer said she isn’t surprised when small groups or communities band together to complete large projects. She noted the importance of securing external funding.“If you have plans and you have people writing grants, it will happen,” she said. “They’re using small amounts to leverage big money. That seems to be the winning formula.” More than 200 people were estimated to have participated in the opening night event at the Annapolis Community Pool on June 13. Photo by Jason Malloy /Annapolis Valley RegisterNeed to knowThe Friends of the Annapolis Pool Society posted a thank you board in the entry to the Annapolis Community Pool. It lists the people who helped make the liner replacement project a success. It included:$200,000 – The Province of Nova Scotia.$60,000 – The County of Annapolis.$40,000 – Annapolis West Health Foundation.$38,300 – Town of Annapolis Royal.$10,000 – Nicholson Foundation.Did you know?The Save the Pool Action Team included:Lesley HodderElizabeth WightMark HebertJon LoweLara CampbellAnna Kate NewmanKendall Burch-SkinulisKathleen MurrayJeannie MontgomeryArticle content
Outdoor pool in Annapolis Royal reopens after community pulls together
