Aging facilities, like the Moose Recreation Centre on the Southeast Hill, could be the focus of costing reviews and replacement plans this fall as city budget officials seek to cut costs, the News has learned.--NEWS PHOTO COLLIN GALLANT
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City officials launched a new round of planned public consultations Friday into spending priorities for recreation facilities.
That is the next phase to build on a recreation masterplan that was drawn up this summer and will be due before council this month.
Draft versions suggest the city parks department should consider overhauling how it assigns capital funding to maintenance projects and ask whether money would be better spent amalgamating services in new regional centres.
Specifically, officials say up to $9 million will need to be spent on maintenance or other upgrades at three facilities that remain closed from the 2020 shutdown of facilities under capacity and health regulations related to the pandemic.
The Heights outdoor pool has a drainage problem that could cost $1 million to correct, while the Moose Recreation Centre requires a new slab and cooling system repairs. The largest item is the Crestwood Pool and Recreation centre in the mid-term, while Hill outdoor pool also needs repairs.
In-person sessions were held Friday, and another is planned at the Medicine Hat Public Library on Saturday morning, from 10 a.m. to noon.
An online forum at shapeyourcity.medicinehat.com will be open until Monday, while a survey at the same website will be open until Nov. 18.
