The Richardson Recreation & Wellness Centre in Swan River, Manitoba, unveiled the final phase of a suite of accessibility upgrades in February 2026. The changes are designed to make it easier for seniors, residents with mobility challenges, and parents with young children to use the pool and community spaces.
The facility features push-button automatic doors at the main entrance to improve access. The project also introduced a water wheelchair for use in the zero-entry leisure pool and new gender‑neutral, fully accessible change rooms.
Project documents and the Research Dossier describe the specialized change rooms as including ceiling lifts and adult‑sized changing tables to provide more dignity and support for users. The Town of Swan River began prioritizing accessibility improvements in 2024, with council minutes from October 2024 recording motions and actions to pursue grant funding and accessibility work.
Funding for the 2026 renovations was reported to come from a combination of municipal reserves, provincial grants and community sponsorships. Significant support was provided by Richardson Pioneer (a subsidiary of Richardson International) and the Swan Valley Credit Union, both long‑standing local sponsors.
Richardson International’s 2025 Accessibility Progress Report states that measures like these help remove barriers in built environments. Local officials expect the new features will increase daytime pool usage, particularly for senior fitness and aquatic therapy and rehabilitation programs.
For facility details, see the Town of Swan River Aquatic Centre page: https://swanrivermanitoba.ca/m/recreation/aquatic-centre.
