By Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
That $100,000 would have been nice, but Rural Dividend Fund money won’t be earmarked for the aquatic centre feasibility study.
“I was quite shocked we never got it,” said Cathy Cowan, Oliver’s chief administrative officer, who made the application on behalf of five partners in the South Okanagan.
The application requested $100,000 to enable a study on the cost, location, layout and design of an indoor swimming pool shared by Oliver, Osoyoos, Areas A and C and the Osoyoos Indian Band.
Sarah Fraser, executive director of rural development for the province, said they received a large number of applications that exceeded available funds. She noted that Oliver’s application did not receive a high enough ranking to secure the funding.
But Cowan said each partner has already budgeted their share for the study, so the study will proceed regardless.
“We were just hoping not to use it (our own money).”
Oliver’s share for the study is $36,000, Cowan pointed out.
Osoyoos Mayor Sue McKortoff also expressed her disappointment in the news.
“When you have five interested local municipal and regional groups willing to work together for the betterment of the whole area, that has to be a positive step and a great example of collaboration.”
She believes the feasibility study is worthwhile to pursue.
Oliver Mayor Ron Hovanes said it seems like they’re missing out or being ignored when it comes to gas tax funding that other municipalities have received.
“Our neighbours are getting gas taxes and we’re still waiting. We need to push harder,” he said.
But not everyone on Town council supports the aquatic centre idea.
Water councillor Rick Machial previously said he personally opposes the plan, noting that spending $10 million plus maintenance costs for people to go swimming is not justified in his eyes.
