The 25m competition pool in Windsor (CAN) was officially inaugurated this morning, just days away from the start of the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m), December 6-11.

The pool was constructed on top of a hockey rink, home to the Windsor Spitfires hockey team.

After the ice was melted, a pool structure, elaborated by FINA partner and swimming pool expert Myrtha Pools, was built and filled with approximately 1300 tones of water. The transformation works have been completed over a two-week period, an exploit for such a drastic transformation.


Kelly Stefanyshyn (CAN) getting ready for the first dip

Last details such as hiding the hockey logos are being fine-tuned and the timing system from Omega is being put in place.

Watch the transformation LIVE

Former Olympian Kelly Stefanyshyn, who is the Operations Director for the World Championships in Windsor, was the first to take the plunge in the new temporary pool this morning.

After a few laps in the fresh water, she described the temporary pool as “definitely a racing pool.”

“It really has this racing feeling, with the lights and the size. The arena feels different,” the swimmer confessed.


Kelly Stefanyshyn (CAN)

Swimming with a Nikon Key Mission 360 camera in her hands (footage available here) Stefanyshyn expressed her commitment within the Organising Committee:

“I have been working hard for more than a year on this project now. I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve when I see the progress of the transformation in the Centre. I am here from 7am until late everyday so I get very excited that all is getting together so nicely.”

“They have added the branding, the colours, some teams have arrived and have started to train at the other pool. It is all very real.”


The 25m pool that was inaugurated this morning

The FINA World Swimming Championships kicks-off on Tuesday December 6 when an official Opening Ceremony will be held at the WFCU Centre. Morning heats will take place at 9am every day, while the finals will be at 6:30pm. Schedule available here.

Around 930 swimmers are expected to take part in the World Championships.