A concept drawing of a new outdoor aquatic centre that would be constructed near Hillcrest Church was presented to council Monday. Note, this is only a concept drawing and only presents ideas of what could be included in the project. The city will now be looking for public feedback before committing to a design plan.--HANDOUT PHOTO
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com
Although the city isn’t looking to resurrect the popular Riverside Waterslides, it is considering constructing a brand new outdoor pool, potentially with an outdoor waterslide, behind Hillcrest Church.
City councillors approved a motion Monday evening that will now allow the city to initiate a public engagement process with the community to gauge interest for a new aquatics centre that has not been designed, but could feature a variety of attractions, including waterslides and a zero-depth entry pool designed for toddlers.
The vision of a new pool was identified as a priority for the Hat in the city’s 2022 Parks and Recreation Master Plan, and would add to the number of outdoor aquatic facilities, dwindling in recent years with the closure of Heald and Heights pools.
Although the project hasn’t reached the drawing board, the city envisions the facility mimicking similar, large-scale outdoor pools with waterslides that have been recently constructed in communities like Lethbridge, Moose Jaw and Regina.
“Zero-depth entry pools with other amenities like spray pads and potentially a lazy river, we’re seeing smaller communities and other comparable communities that are having these amenities,” said James Will, director of parks and recreation.
The outdoor pool, along with construction of sports fields in Brier Run, would serve the community as a more affordable option than building a full recreation and fitness centre in the south side that, without third-party funding, could raise residential property taxes by as much as 12.5 per cent.
The project will also allow for the future development of an indoor recreation centre and other amenities.
Staff estimate a new outdoor aquatics centre would raise residential property taxes somewhere between 3.5 to five per cent, without funding support from other government levels or community partners.
“I just want to reiterate, it would not be our target to have a 3.5 to five per cent, this would be the worst case scenario,” said Will. “That’s saying there’s no additional third-party funding. We could find other sources where there’s a federal, provincial program potentially for infrastructure funding, or any regional partnership funding.”
Early estimates of total cost range between $25 and $35 million, while development costs to the Brier Run sport fields could range between $15 and $20 million.
Before seeking third-party funds, the city wants to make sure residents want and will support the construction of a new outdoor aquatics facility.
“These are really concepts and just some things to start a conversation as the intention for today is to walk away from some endorsement (from council) around initiating a larger discussion with the community,” explained Will.
Now with the approval, the city plans to move forward with an “extensive” public engagement process that will include online surveys and public engagement sessions.
Will says the city wants to hear from all residents.
“You certainly can get one view if you go to a swim meet and ask people what they want in a pool, but what about people who don’t regularly go to a pool? What would be of value to you in the community?” explains Will.
The public engagement sessions will begin immediately as city staff hope to return to council in the fall with data collected from residents.
