Mayor Sue McKortoff says an indoor public pool continues to be a high priority for many Osoyoos residents. Historically, an indoor pool was considered too big a project for one local government acting alone to handle. With Osoyoos, Oliver the RDOS and Osoyoos Indian Band, the costs are spread. (Richard McGuire file photo)
The dream of bringing an indoor aquatic centre to the residents of Osoyoos and Oliver is alive and well after the two towns – with support from the Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB) and Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) – have agreed to work together to try and make it happen.
The region’s three local municipal governments and the OIB announced last week they are working together to explore the potential of building an indoor aquatic facility.
The cost and location of the proposed facility haven’t been discussed or finalized and will be part of the process in applying for a $100,000 Rural Dividend Fund to pay for the costs of an intensive feasibility study.
The Towns of Oliver and Osoyoos have long discussed the idea of building an indoor aquatic centre that would serve both communities, but those plans took a giant step forward now that the OIB and RDOS are also engaged in the conversation, said Osoyoos Mayor Sue McKortoff.
The Town of Oliver has officially applied for a $100,000 provincial Rural Dividend Fund grant to enable a feasibility study that would detail potential services, capital and operating costs, site assessment, facility layout and design and also develop a cost sharing, governance and operating model.
The feasibility study process will include extensive community consultation.
All four governments have provided letters of support for the project and are excited about working together on a project of this nature that would see improved services for all the communities.
“An indoor public pool continues to be a high priority for many local Osoyoos residents,” said McKortoff. “Our Community Services review showed that this issue is top of the list for families. But since the cost of a pool and the ongoing cost for operating a pool is steep and could be difficult to manage for any single municipality, I am pleased that our local governments are looking to cooperate on a feasibility study.”
Oliver Mayor Ron Hovanes said he’s excited about moving forward with the study.
“The conversation is very early, but I am excited that we are able to have this discussion. It is great to see our local governments looking into opportunities that would in the end benefit the entire region.”
Historically, an indoor pool facility was considered too big a project for one local government acting alone to handle.
However, Mark Pendergraft, Area A director for the RDOS, said including all four partners brings the project closer to reality.
“I am excited about the potential pool as a partnership,” he said. “Between communities is the only way to keep the cost to a potentially reasonable level, and will result in a higher-quality facility that has higher use.”
In the next few months, the government partners will work towards establishing a steering committee that would include representatives from member councils and staff to administer the grant and move the project forward.
The feasibility study is the first step in what is expected to be a lengthy process. The steering committee will work to maintain positive energy among the partners and report progress to the member constituencies.
“Working together for the good of all residents in the south Okanagan is a very positive forward-thinking initiative,” concluded McKortoff.
At Monday’s regular meeting of Town of Osoyoos council, Coun. Mike Campol said completing the feasibility study is hopefully the first step in the process to have a new aquatic centre built in the South Okanagan sometime in the near future.
“I’m really, really excited about this project,” said Campol.
This is an incredible opportunity for partners in Osoyoos, Oliver, the OIB and RDOS to work together on a project that would help attract families to this region for many years to come, he said.
He’s optimistic the feasibility study will move ahead in a timely manner, said Campol.
He also hopes the provincial government will look at this proposal “as a model” where different rural communities make a decision to work together for the benefit of an entire region.
McKortoff agreed that the benefits of an indoor aquatic centre would be enormous for residents in Osoyoos and Oliver and she’s also looking forward to the application for the feasibility study being successful.
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