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What should Brennan Park add next?

The background, so you can decide for yourself. Facts checked October 26, 2026.

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Brennan Park Recreation Centre on Centennial Way holds Squamish's arena and the aquatic centre. Residents have asked for years for more ice time and more pool space. The 2021 Brennan Park Fields and Lands Master Plan marks a future site for a second ice rink and an upgraded pool, but no money has been set aside to build either.

In December 2025 council funded a study of what Brennan Park needs next. A staff Recreation Centre Task Force, working with a consultant, is now looking at demand, costs, sites and ways to pay. Its final report is expected in spring 2027, and a new council will decide what, if anything, to build.

The pool side has an extra wrinkle: the aquatic centre is owned by the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District and run by the District of Squamish, so the regional district has a say in pool spending.

This ask is about what residents would most like to see added first.

Key facts

Study budget
$125,000 for 2026, added to the financial plan in December 20251
Funding to build
None yet. Staff describe expansion projects as unfunded.2
Final report
Expected in the second quarter of 2027. A "What We Heard" summary was planned for November 2026.2
Pool ownership
The aquatic centre is owned by the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District and operated by the District5
Pool repair request for 2027
$3.005 million in capital work on the existing pool, including $1.58 million for deck air handling equipment5
Existing arena
$573,000 for arena air handling upgrades in 2027 and 2028, after a 2025 humidity problem made the ice unsafe4

Where it stands

Not in any District plan or budget we can find, and not on a council agenda.

Who decides: Squamish council.

What each answer would mean

  • A second sheet of iceMore ice time for hockey, figure skating and public skating.
  • A second poolMore lane, lesson and leisure swim time.
  • Both, even if taxes go upBig new buildings to build and run, which likely means borrowing or higher taxes.
  • Neither for nowKeeps that money for other needs or lower taxes.

The case for each answer

The strongest honest case for each side, as people who hold it would put it.

A second sheet of ice

  • With one rink, hockey, figure skating and public skating all compete for the same hours. A second sheet would free up time for every group.
  • A 2025 shutdown of the only rink showed how exposed the town is when that one sheet of ice goes down.

A second pool

  • Lessons, lane swimming, clubs and family swims all share one pool. More water would mean more lesson spots and more open swim time.
  • Swimming is a life skill and serves every age, from toddlers to seniors.

Both, even if taxes go up

  • Squamish is growing fast, and building both at once could save on design and site work compared with two separate projects.
  • Waiting only makes construction more expensive.

Neither for now

  • Neither project has money set aside, and the existing building still needs millions in repairs.
  • The task force study is not finished. Deciding before it reports could mean building the wrong thing.
  • Keeping the money free leaves room for other needs or lower tax increases.

How we got here

  1. December 2021The Brennan Park Fields and Lands Master Plan goes to council. Its maps mark a future site for an upgraded pool and a second ice rink.6
  2. December 16, 2025Council puts $125,000 for 2026 toward the Brennan Park upgrade study. A motion for $200,000 to study a second pool and rink by July 2026 fails.1
  3. July 14, 2026Staff present the task force engagement plan, focused on interviews with user groups such as minor hockey, skating and swim clubs.2
  4. September 1, 2026Council endorses the engagement plan and asks staff to report on a council committee to help shape the recommendation.3
  5. October 6, 2026The draft 2027 to 2036 capital plan says the task force is in phase one of three.4
  6. Spring 2027The final task force report with options, costs and funding ideas is expected.2

Questions people ask

Has the District priced a second rink or pool?

Not yet. The task force is preparing high level cost estimates, funding strategies and options, due in its final report in 2027.2

Will the public be surveyed?

The engagement plan focuses on interviews and a survey of user group members. It does not propose a new community wide survey, because the projects are unfunded and staff want to avoid false expectations.2

How did council vote on the study?

The $125,000 study passed with Councillor Hamilton opposed. An earlier motion by Councillor Hamilton for $200,000 to study a second pool and rink failed, with Mayor Hurford and Councillors French, Andersen and Stoner opposed.1

More background

Sources

  1. District of Squamish: Special Business Meeting minutes (December 16, 2025)
  2. District of Squamish: Recreation Centre Task Force Engagement Plan, report to Committee of the Whole (July 14, 2026)
  3. District of Squamish: Regular Business Meeting minutes (September 1, 2026)
  4. District of Squamish: 2027 to 2036 Financial Plan, Capital Projects report (October 6, 2026)
  5. District of Squamish: 2027 to 2031 Local Service Area Budget Request, Squamish Aquatic Centre (September 8, 2026)
  6. District of Squamish: Brennan Park Fields and Lands Master Plan (2021)

Spot something wrong or out of date? Email squamishvoters@gmail.com.