The sound of shovels hitting the ground at the site of Regina’s new Indoor Aquatic Facility (IAF) will soon be accompanied by drilling related to the geothermal portion of the project.
Designed to make the facility sustainable and nearly emissions-free, the city’s plan to heat the IAF using deep geothermal energy is a big step forward for the renewable sector, said geologist Erik Nickel.
“We’re not breaking new ground in the world, but it is new for Canada and for Saskatchewan,” said Nickel.
As chief operating officer at Petroleum Technology Research Centre (PTRC), Nickel co-authored the preliminary feasibility study that the City of Regina used in 2023 to secure federal funding for the two joined projects through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP).
The geothermal aspect was a key factor in landing federal money for the pool, which officially broke ground last month. Using a renewable resource made the project eligible for ICIP funding under Recreation and Green Infrastructure streams, which require clean energy or other climate change adaptations.
While the IAF is set to cost $285.1 million, the geothermal facility has a separate budget of $28.5 million. The city says that estimate is on track as of August, with $14.7 million sourced from federal and provincial contributions.