By Mark Squibb
The City of Mount Pearl is accepting expressions of interest for the purchase and development of the site of the former Mount Pearl Swimming Pool on Stapleton Road for a high-density housing development.
In many ways, it’s the end of an era in Mount Pearl’s history.
The pool was constructed in 1974 and was home to both the Mount Pearl Marlins Swim Team and a popular birthday party spot for four decades until it’s closure in 2014 to accommodate the opening of the new pool at the Summit Centre.
In recent years, the building has sat vacant, crumbling away, until it’s demolition in October 2024.
“As we close the chapter on the site where many of us first learned to swim, we look forward to seeing new families create new beginnings and memories on Stapleton Road,” said councillor Chelsea Lane.
She noted that preference will be given to plans that maximize the space and feature over 50 units, and that the City will be accepting proposals until May 8.
As of last Tuesday’s meeting, three contractors had already downloaded the paperwork from the City’s website.
“We’ve been talking about redeveloping that area for about 10 years now,” said councillor Bill Antle. “We had to tear down the old pool, and we had to remediate the land. But we need housing, we need apartments. How many times have I talked to people, and they’ve said they want to sell their home and move to a nice apartment in Mount Pearl.”
The new housing development, said Antle, will be within walking distance of many amenities along Park Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue, as well as many of the City’s trails.
All members of council present (Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley was absent) were in agreement that it was time to move forward and redevelop the land, and voted to approve it.
