The South Okanagan Regional Aquatic Centre is well on its way as the feasibility study contract was awarded to Sierra Management and Planning, a consulting company.

This study will look into assessing how the facility can be built in the region and how it will operate.

The towns of Osoyoos and Oliver and the Osoyoos Indian Band have now been working together to create an advisory committee.

The committee will be responsible for managing public consultation and planning around the indoor aquatic centre. Members of all three councils and staff will be part of the committee.

Chief Clarence Louie, Mayor Sue McKortoff and Mayor Martin Johansen will be “ex-officio” members of the committee.

The Town of Osoyoos appointed Councillor Jim King and Councillor Myers Bennett, while Gerald Davis, Director of Community Services will be the staff representative. Barry Romanko, former CAO of Osoyoos will be the member at large.

Chief Clarence Louie and the OIB Council brought on Sammy Louie and Sonya Jensenas as members and Mike Campol, Chief Operating Officer as the member at large.

The Town of Oliver has Councillor Petra Veintimilla and Councillor David Mattes as members of the committee. The Town’s CAO and Recreation Manager, Carol Sheridan was appointed as support staff.

In the recent press release both the Town of Osoyoos and Oliver acknowledged the importance of this collaboration between the three councils on this project which would be difficult for a single government to take on independently.

“This is an important opportunity. Should the outcome of this study chart a path forward, this level of collaboration could become a model for rural communities throughout the province. What better way to show that when local leaders come together, the residents of multiple communities will reap the benefits,” said Mike Campol, OIB’s Chief Operating Officer.

The next steps for the project are to arrange a series of meetings with the consultant and the committee. They councils are planning to complete the final report by the end of October.

“This is an exciting opportunity for the region and we are anticipating a strong response from,” stated a press release from the Town of Osoyoos.