Council will continue to focus efforts on the fundraising and the eventual construction of a new pool after defeating a motion Monday night to refurbish Kindersley’s existing 40-year-old swimming pool instead building a new.
The decision followed a lengthy discussion during which Council evaluated the potential costs along with the life expectancy of a refurbished pool and determined that a new and structurally sound pool with a longer life expectancy would be a more financially sound and long-term investment for Kindersley.
Several delegates addressed Council at the June 27 Regular Meeting and Administration provided a detailed report explaining options to provide interim aquatic programming through partnership with local hotels and neighbouring municipalities. The report also outlined operational and financial factors to consider in making the decision about a new pool.
Members of the Pool Fundraising Committee formed in 2014, addressed Council to reiterate their commitment toward fundraising for a new pool and to oppose refurbishment of the existing pool, which Council closed permanently in June 2014 due to structural and safety concerns. Other members of the public, and a private pool specialist, also raised concerns about the costs identified in the Group 2 Aquatic Centre Schematic Design Report and shared examples of other outdoor pools being constructed throughout Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Council will discuss next steps at the July 18 meeting, which are expected to include application to the Build Canada Fund. In the newly approved funding formula, the federal government has committed to covering 50 percent of the cost of new capital projects and recreation projects have been reinstated as eligible.
Pool Refurbishment Survey
Out of a total of 552 respondents who completed the recent pool rehabilitation survey by June 27, 52.9% were in favour of refurbishing the pool versus 31.9% in favour of constructing a new indoor pool. A total of 58 respondents supporting refurbishment of the pool, however, stated an expectation that a new pool would be constructed before the end of its lifespan.
Of respondents, 6.2% were in favour of a new outdoor pool. Just over nine percent (9.2%) of respondents favoured a different option entirely.