Ceremony Held for Otter Co-Op Outdoor Experience at the Aldergrove Credit Union Community Centre

A ceremony was held at the Township of Langley’s new Aldergrove Credit Union Community Centre on Friday, June 29, to celebrate the start of opportunities for the public to explore the swimming pools and water park features at the Otter Co-op Outdoor Experience.

Members of Township of Langley Council and staff, John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale-Langley City, and representatives from the Aldergrove Credit Union and Otter Co-op were on hand for the event.

“When Township of Langley Council announced the creation of a new recreation centre in Aldergrove in the summer of 2015, we knew it would be something special, a facility unlike anything else,” said Township of Langley Mayor Jack Froese. “Now that the Centre is nearing completion and the swimming pools and water park will soon be welcoming visitors, the reality has vastly surpassed our imaginations. ‘Wow’ and ‘phenomenal’ are the words people keep using to describe it and we can’t wait for everyone to experience all that this unique facility has to offer.”

“I am excited to see the completion of this vibrant community gathering space for young and old alike,” said John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale–Langley City. “This community centre represents a collaboration of community partners and all orders of government, including a nearly $10 million investment by the federal government. It is a truly valuable asset for all citizens of the Langley community.”

“The day has come – ACUCC will soon open its doors for everyone to enjoy,” said Gus Hartl, Chief Executive Officer of Aldergrove Credit Union. “On behalf of all of us at Aldergrove Credit Union, we’re honoured to work alongside the Township of Langley and the Otter Co-op to bring this first-class facility to the Aldergrove community. We are proud to be the title sponsor of this collaborative community initiative, and so grateful to see this incredible project come to fruition.”

“Otter Co-op is very proud to support the Otter Co-op Outdoor Experience, and see this great addition to our community helping to impact our children and families positively, giving them a first class facility we can all be proud of,” said Jack Nicholson, Chief Executive Officer of the Otter Co-op. “The Community Centre and Outdoor Experience look fantastic. We look forward to seeing the engagement with the community this will provide, and we can’t wait to use the facilities ourselves.”

The Aldergrove Credit Union Community Centre, located at 27032 Fraser Highway, features a six-lane, 25-metre competitive swimming pool with a deep end for diving, a shallower leisure pool, and a hot tub. Covered by a canopy, these pool areas will be open year-round and heated in part by using excess energy produced from cooling the ice at the arena.

In addition to the pools is the balance of the Otter Co-op Outdoor Experience, a seasonal water park with full sized-waterslides, a tidal pool, current channel, a children’s aquaplay structure, dry playground, and picnic area.

The Aldergrove Credit Union Community Centre will also feature a 500+ seat arena with an NHL size ice surface, a fitness centre, fitness studio room, multipurpose room, and an indoor running track.

“I don’t know of any other municipal facility where people can swim, ice skate, watch a hockey game, take a fitness class, run the track, go down waterslides, or float along a full-size current channel in an outdoor water park, all in the same place,” Froese said. “The ACUCC is an amazing addition for Township of Langley residents. This facility complements the Township’s already outstanding variety of recreation and event facilities that we are known for across the country. It will draw people from throughout the region to downtown Aldergrove and be a great step towards revitalizing Aldergrove’s Downtown Core.”

“We are truly grateful to the federal government and the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component – National and Regional Projects for their generous financial contribution, the local businesses who came on board to sponsor the project, and the many organizations and residents in the community who helped bring this facility to life,” Froese said.

“The ACUCC is not just an arena and recreation facility, it is also outdoor pools and a water park, a unique combination,” said Rob Stare, Township of Langley Community Recreation Manager. “Because it is so unique and we have never operated anything quite like this, we literally need to test the waters. We have to ensure staff are properly trained and all safety measures are in place, and we will process the feedback we receive from the public as we go along.”

Prior to the Otter Co-op Outdoor Experience at the Aldergrove Credit Union Community Centre opening for regular public swims on Monday, July 16, a limited number of free test swims will be held. Registration is required. To sign up and for more information, visit tol.ca/acucc.

The ice arena will open in August, followed by the fitness centre in September.

For more information, visit tol.ca/acucc.

For more information, contact Erin Brocklehurst, Township of Langley Corporate Media Liaison at 604-533-6122 or ebrocklehurst@tol.ca.