— Feasibility of community aquatic centre to be studied —
(OSOYOOS TIMES — March 7, 2007) —
By Julie TurnerrnOsoyoos Times
In a surprise move, Town Council postponed a decision Monday on the proposed Osoyoos Splash Park and instead voted to look at building a community aquatic centre with a splash park as one component.
Admitting his resolution may be unpopular to the water park proponents, Councillor Allan Carswell told the Council meeting Town staff should conduct a feasibility study on building an indoor aquatic centre. Carswell said if the study “ or a resulting referendum “ on a community pool fails, the Town would then commit to building a splash park for the spring of 2008.
Carswell said the aquatic centre concept “ as part of a larger recreation master plan “ has been on the Town's wish list for two decades. It is also a facility that could be used year-round.
It has been the Number 1 facility that everybody has asked for. Probably in 1997 the Town was not ready to build a pool. Times have changed. When you look at the development that has come to town and the developments that are coming to town, these represent significant chunks of cash to the taxa-tion base. We think a pool can provide something for everyone “ whether you're 60 and you're exercising for arthritis or you're six and playing in the shallow end with water toys.rnCouncillor Ted Cronmiller supported the motion, adding, A splash park is an important aspect for a certain segment of our community “ our children “ but a pool and aquatic centre is important for everyone.
Councillor Stu Wells said he still likes the splash park, but added the costs associated with it “ estimated as high as $500,000 “ are not yet clear and the Town is awaiting word from Interior Health (IH) on the type of water treatment the facility would need. IH is developing a policy to help all municipalities in the construction of water parks.
Councillor Dick Flintoft agreed a community pool would be a great addition to the town, but cautioned the costs of building it could run to $14 million and annual maintenance could be $1 million.
Cronmiller and Carswell disputed the $14-million figure, adding they would like to see more accurate figures and put the information out to the public for a vote. Carswell guessed the price tag might be closer to $8 million.
He said, At the end of the day, if you put 1,000 units of condos into the town, and we're getting roughly $1,000 in taxes on each one of those, that's a million dollars a year in taxes. If you're just slapping condos and development into your town and the citizens of your town aren't getting something back for it, why exactly are you doing the development?rnOnce the feasibility study is done, the aquatic centre concept will go to the public for feedback and then, if people are in favour of it, onto a formal referendum this fall.
Mayor John Slater called the aquatic centre a great opportunity. He added the more amenities Osoyoos can offer, the greater chance it will have to attract doctors and other professionals to move here. He also suggested the Town could adopt a development cost charge that would help pay for an aquatic centre.
I think we'll be surprised at how many people will support this project and I'm happy it's moving forward.
A lot has happened since last March when the Osoyoos Splash Park Committee first proposed the project and received support from the Town “ including debate over the type of water park that should be developed, costs, water supply issues and where it should go.
As well as deciding on a location, Council would also have to decide what kind of water system to develop “ a drain away system (approximately $250,000) or a water quality management system (WQMS), at about $500,000.
The Splash Park Committee favoured Kinsmen Park in east Osoyoos as the site for its 14 x 18 metre water park, but two other locations suggested were Jack Shaw Gardens and Gyro Beach.
The park has had great support and was awarded a $60,000 grant by the Osoyoos Credit Union last year, to be used by 2008.
