For those who live in Osoyoos, the stark reality is that those who dreamed about one day being able to swim inside a state-of-the-art indoor aquatic centre were dreaming in technicolour.
However, with the announcement last week that the Town of Osoyoos, Town of Oliver, Osoyoos Indian Band and the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) had all jumped on board to work as partners in pursuing the concept of indoor aquatic centre, those dreams are no longer impossible.
The Town of Oliver has officially sent an application to the provincial government seeking $100,000 from the Rural Dividend Fund to complete a feasibility study relating to a South Okanagan indoor aquatic centre.
The final price tag and location for such a centre would be discussed and identified through the feasibility study process.
With a population that just surpassed 5,000 residents, the reality is the Town of Osoyoos would never, ever be able to generate the necessary funding needed to operate a standalone aquatic centre on its own. Same story in Oliver, a Town whose population remains under 5,000.
But when you combine the population and tax base from those two towns and add the financial and political support from powerful organizations like the OIB and RDOS, things change dramatically. There is power in numbers and having this four-pronged partnership in place certainly changes the landscape and makes the dream of a modern indoor aquatic centre something that is attainable.
Not only would residents of Osoyoos and Oliver flock to this centre, but so would legions of the throngs of tourists who come to both communities during the busy tourist season.
With the RDOS on board, there’s also reason to believe residents of places like Keremeos, Cawston and Hedley would make the trip to enjoy everything that an indoor aquatic centre would offer.
Facilities like this not only cost millions of dollars to build, but they also cost big bucks to operate. But it’s money well spent when you consider the benefits in attracting and retaining young families and professionals who want and need things to do.
Community health also plays a significant factor with facilities like this as an aquatic centre would be able to provide programs and services for every age group from toddlers to seniors.
You can visit virtually any modern indoor aquatic centre in any rural community in this country and quickly realize they instantly become a hub of activity and central gathering place for residents.
One thing that shouldn’t happen, but very well might happen, is a battle between residents in Osoyoos and Oliver based on where the facility is built.
One must never forget this is a partnership that will benefit the residents of the entire South Okanagan and we should all be thrilled if this project does become a reality. Travelling 12 to 15 minutes up the road to enjoy a facility that will benefit residents in Oliver and Osoyoos for generations to come isn’t too much to ask.
We wish good luck to the partners in applying for the provincial funding and moving one big step closer to making this project a reality.
