A long-time dream for members of the Swift Current Wildlife Federation is beginning to take shape on the southside of the city.

During the past two years the organization has been focusing their efforts and funds toward constructing a fully-accessible pond at the Burnett Recreational Site.

"A committee was formed this past year," former President of the Swift Current Wildlife Federation Clark Schultz said. "It was decided that we would dredge it (the pond) deeper and turn it into a more viable trout pond."

The Swift Current Wildlife Federation has owned the 37-acre lot for "quite a few years." It previously tried releasing fish into the pond, but the water wasn't deep enough to provide enough oxygen for the fish.

"We decided to then spend some money on this project," he said. "Part of the project plan is to hopefully add a wheelchair-accessible dock to make it possible for anyone to go fishing."

The project is expected to cost approximately $100,000 - with $20,000 coming from a provincial grant, and the remaining coming from the federation's annual fundraiser, and funds they have saved up over time to use on projects.

Last summer the committee added power to the site allowing for an aeration system to be added increasing the oxygen for the future fish.

Recently Schultz pumped approximately five million gallons of water out of the pond to allow for the dredging equipment to move and make the pond deeper.

"I was probably the only guy in the country that was praying it didn't rain (for a while there)," Schultz said with a laugh. "It was a bit of a challenge and a little stressful, I'll be really glad (when it's done)."

Schultz figures the dredging and shaping will be completed today allowing for the water to refill the pond.

The date of completion for the entire project is pegged at the Summer of 2019 but the majority will be done in 2018 and will include grooming, landscaping, an accessibility dock, and a gazebo. Once fish enter the pond, it'll be exclusively rainbow trout to begin with.