Aquatic centre sites narrowed down

Lyonel Doherty

Times-Chronicle

Potential sites for the South Okanagan Aquatic Centre have been narrowed down for the consultants.

The Aquatic Centre Advisory Committee met recently to add sites into the mix, which includes the “preferred” location on Fruitvale Way just off Highway 97 north of Osoyoos. The committee has initiated talks with the Ministry of Transportation to start the ball rolling on this site.

Consultants Jon Hack and Cal Meiklejohn from Sierra Planning are handling the feasibility study and site analysis.

Hack said a traffic impact assessment would be required for the Fruitvale Way site, while Meiklejohn said they have discussed (with the ministry) decommissioning the gravel pit on the property. Both consultants said that contamination from the gravel pit is unlikely.

Osoyoos Mayor Sue McKortoff said the other issue they have to consider is the proposed housing project slated for Willow Beach across the road.

“That whole area is in a floodplain so it’s a tricky issue to deal with.”

The committee discussed several other potential sites, including the district wine village in Oliver, the Sonora Centre in Osoyoos, Desert Park in Osoyoos, and Community Park in Oliver.

Committee member Mike Campol said they will come to realize that some sites won’t work or don’t make any sense, noting that local constituents will be looking at access and whether the location is “fair” as a regional facility.

Campol said he favoured the Fruitvale Way site near Road 22, saying it’s “fair” based on its proximity to all three communities (Oliver, Osoyoos and the Osoyoos Indian Band).

Oliver Mayor Martin Johansen said he would like to see a location between Oliver and Osoyoos where the travel times for the majority of residents would be similar.

Carol Sheridan from Oliver Parks and Recreation said a site immediately off the highway makes a lot of sense as opposed to taking people off the highway and into a residential area.

Hack said you want the biggest site possible in case you want to expand in the future.

“In an ideal world you never build an aquatic centre as a standalone aquatic centre with nothing else attached to it.”

The district wine village in Oliver got a thumbs down because it was too far from Osoyoos.

Lion’s Park in Oliver also got a thumbs down because committee members don’t want to lose public green space.

“Eating up parkland for this will not make people happy,” said committee member Barry Romanko.

School property in Oliver also got a cool reception.

Committee member Gerald Davis said Desert Park in Osoyoos is more than big enough for an aquatic centre and is properly zoned, but he admitted the location is not ideal as a regional site.

Sheridan said Community Park in Oliver wouldn’t make sense regionally but it’s the only site that has the best feasibility in Canada’s Wine Capital.

Committee member Dave Mattes said it would be feasible if you removed the old pool and put the tennis court there.

Hack said they will conduct an online survey of the public to engage them on their preferences.

“People in Oliver will say Oliver, and people in Osoyoos will say Osoyoos. Very few people will say the preferred site.”

Another site that was discussed was Highway 97 at Road 1 (across from Canadian Tire in Oliver).

The Sonora Centre was ruled out because it is on school property.

Another location being considered is the test orchard site just past Osoyoos Secondary School.

The Sun Bowl Arena was also discussed, but committee members agreed there isn’t enough room to expand on this site.

McKortoff noted this location was once considered where South Okanagan General Hospital could go before it was built in Oliver.