By Lyonel Doherty, Times Chronicle

Affordability, cost sharing and grant funding are big hurdles facing the South Okanagan aquatic centre concept.

Reaction to the feasibility study presented to Oliver and Osoyoos town councils last week are mixed.

Consultants unveil local aquatic centre study

Representing the band on the aquatic centre advisory committee, Mike Campol said they knew the build cost would be big when they embarked on the study.

“This project was always about grant funding for the build. What we are looking for in the study was a multi-community governance model and operating costs.”

Osoyoos Mayor Sue McKortoff said it is a credit to Osoyoos, Oliver and the OIB that they recognized the need to work together on this important issue. 

“Having an indoor pool has been top of mind for recreation facilities in our area,” she told the Times Chronicle.

McKortoff said the next step is to identify regional district support and embark on funding.

“We anticipate getting grant funding for this project so we can proceed.”

Oliver Mayor Martin Johansen said the study provided good information on the amenities that residents want to see in the facility.

“Less clear was the path to affordability, governance and cost sharing, especially with our Electoral Area C and A directors not at the table.”

Johansen said there are lots of questions to be answered before he can support committing any further budget to this project.

Area A director Mark Pendergraft said the project is expensive and he is not sure that he has much faith in the numbers provided in the study.

“I am also not convinced there is a desire for this facility, particularly by the rural residents of Area A and C.”

Area C director Rick Knodel agreed that cost is still the big hurdle.

He also claimed the study has some “misinformation” in it. 

For example, he said the populations of Areas A and C are not represented in the document. 

“There is just no way 1,300 residential properties in the area can handle the tax load we are talking about.”

Knodel said he fears the aquatic centre will undermine Oliver Parks and Recreation which is a “gem of the Okanagan.”

He wonders how people are going to afford a new pool and its maintenance while paying for parks and recreation services at the same time.

“It undermines the whole operation,” the director said.

Oliver town councillor Aimee Grice said the community (80 per cent of respondents) have spoken loud and clear that they want an aquatic centre. “So, I think we owe it to them to continue down this path.”

But Grice said there is a long way to go.

“We need to ensure that we have all five funding partners on board before we go any further.”

The councillor admitted she has concerns about the accessibility of the preferred location. 

“I understand that many locations were looked at, and to get funding from all five partners the location would likely need to be central.”

Grice said regular and reliable public transit would be required to ensure accessibility for all residents.

Parks and Recreation manager Carol Sheridan was not available for comment.