YORKTON — Yorkton city council has taken the next step toward bringing swimming back to Hopkins Lake, approving funding to move the revitalization project into the detailed design phase.
At its Feb. 23 meeting, council approved a $250,000 design budget, funded from the city’s Rainy Day Fund, to advance the Hopkins Lake Revitalization Project through detailed design. Council also struck a dedicated steering committee to guide the work.
Yorkton Mayor Aaron Kienle said reaching this stage is significant for council.
“I’m extremely proud that we’ve got to this point. I’m super excited about this project continuing on.”
The decision follows completion of the Hopkins Lake Revitalization Study, which examined whether the site, including the former Jaycee Beach area, could realistically support safe public swimming.
Council’s vote authorizes administration to spend up to $250,000 on design work covering both the lake and surrounding recreation area.
The design phase will refine technical details, confirm any required excavation and runoff controls, and position the project to become shovel-ready for the 2027 construction season.
Kienle noted the $250,000 figure is based on engineering calculations tied to the anticipated size and scope of the project.
“The amount of money that we’ve put aside is based on engineering calculations on the size of the project, based on our first report and what it might cost in planning,” he said. “So it’s up to the $250,000 that we will spend to design and plan for the revitalization of Hopkins Lake.”
Kienle said the coming months will focus on engaging community groups and residents to help determine the site’s direction.
“Is it something where we just want a couple of beaches and the lake sits there and maybe some parking areas, or do we want irrigation fountains or play structures or walking paths? Where are we going with the entirety of it?” he said. “So it’s exciting because something is happening and we’re moving further along with this.”
Council also approved the creation of a Hopkins Lake Revitalization Project Steering Committee to oversee the project through its design milestones and into implementation planning.
The committee will include:
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The mayor as project sponsor
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The city manager as administrative sponsor
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The city clerk as communications project lead
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The director of environmental services as water systems project lead
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The director of recreation and community services as recreational systems project lead
City administration indicated the committee will provide coordinated oversight and clear direction throughout the design process.
Kienle also reflected on earlier discussions dating back to 2016, when council identified an outdoor pool as a community priority following construction of a new rink.
Due to operational costs, consensus around building and maintaining an outdoor pool proved difficult. Over time, attention shifted toward revitalizing Jaycee Beach as a potentially more affordable option with a broader impact.
“Maybe we could do something there that would not only cost less money, but impact more people in our community.”
Kienle said restoring the lake would create a space accessible to families regardless of income, offering an option for those who may not regularly visit the Gallagher Centre’s Access Communications Water Park or travel to regional parks.
“This gives some place for people to just get on their bicycles, the kids, and head out for a swim.”
He added that an outdoor amenity could also provide flexibility for maintenance at the indoor water park.
During a recent shutdown, Kienle said he observed wear and deterioration in the wave pool’s concrete and reinforcing steel.
“We don’t have time to get to that because the shutdown has to end. We’ve got to get the place full of water again and we’ve got to reopen it,” he said. “This would potentially give us a little bit more flexibility to do maintenance more regularly.”
Council’s vote comes after a revitalization study was commissioned to address long-standing questions that have delayed investment at Hopkins Lake.
The study concludes the lake can be suitable for recreation and safe for swimming. Testing showed low E. coli levels, good water clarity and low nutrient concentrations during monitoring.
The report recommends re-establishing the beach, improving runoff controls, enhancing water circulation and completing selective excavation where required.
The study also provided a high-level estimate of $1,907,000 for the full revitalization concept. As an Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering Class 5 estimate, it carries a potential range of minus 30 per cent to plus 50 per cent.
As part of the design process, the city also plans to engage the Climate Ready Infrastructure Service, which provides up to $20,000 in no-cost expert support to strengthen climate resilience and improve funding readiness.
“I think it’s a win all the way around,” Kienle added. “We’re excited to see it move forward.”
