$6M boost for Sherbrooke’s recreation facilities
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
Residents of Sherbrooke can look forward to revitalized recreational facilities, thanks to a $6 million provincial grant. At a press conference overlooking the Magog River in Sherbrooke on Oct. 25, Isabelle Charest, Minister for Sport, Recreation, and Outdoor Activities, joined by Saint-François MNA Geneviève Hébert and Sherbrooke Mayor Évelyne Beaudin, outlined plans to use funds from the Programme d’aide financière aux infrastructures récréatives, sportives et de plein air (PAFIRSPA) to renovate two community landmarks: the Parc des Optimistes outdoor pool and the pedestrian bridge along the Magog Gorge promenade.
The grant is part of a larger $1.5 billion commitment over the next decade to improve sport and recreational infrastructure across Quebec, with Sherbrooke among the first to benefit from the $300 million initial funding phase.
“Access to quality recreational infrastructure is crucial,” Charest said on the scene, emphasizing the broad impacts of such projects. “It not only benefits physical health but also mental well-being. These are spaces where people of all ages gather, connect, and experience the joy of being active.”
Parc des Optimistes pool renovation
The Parc des Optimistes pool has been a key gathering place for Sherbrooke’s residents since its construction in 1960, with the last upgrade in 1990. The facility will undergo a complete overhaul, covering everything from the pool basin and filtration systems to the service building, which houses changing rooms, lifeguard stations, and necessary mechanical upgrades. The renovation project is budgeted at $8.9 million, with PAFIRSPA funding $5.8 million of that amount.
“This outdoor pool has been a fixture in Sherbrooke’s community life,” Hébert said, describing it as a location where “people of all ages come together, and families can enjoy quality time.” She expressed her appreciation for the collaboration between municipal and provincial officials, remarking, “It’s always a pleasure to participate in announcements like these. Facilities like Parc des Optimistes offer people the chance to stay active close to home, and modernized amenities will better serve our community’s needs.”
According to a related press release, the pool project is structured over several phases. Starting in spring 2025, contracts for professional services will be awarded, followed by design work extending from summer 2025 to spring 2026. Construction contracts are expected by autumn 2026, with the facility’s reopening targeted for summer 2028.
