The City of Prince George wants to rebuild and it's ready to borrow the funds to do it.
The recommendation to do so was passed after a high level overview regarding the projects was presented at a council meeting on Monday. But, the two projects, the replacement of the Four Seasons Pool as well as the rebuilding of downtown Fire Hall
No. 1, do still however, require the approval of electors before construction is to begin.
A new fire hall is estimated to cost
$15 million while a new pool will total about $35 million.
Both projects are included in the 2017-2021 financial plan which council approved earlier this year.
A referendum is planned in Octoberwhere voter approval is required because loans enabling construction would be paid back over a period greater than five years.
Electors will indicate their opinion by answering yes or no as the future of each building remains in question.
In an effort to explain the need to borrow funds towards each project, the city unveiled two on-line videos in June to help convince the public of the need to rebuild and replace the buildings.
With the pool's many leaks, rust stains and accessibility issues, the fire hall also shows its age with space limitations for dispatchers and equipment and even the newest fire truck is said to "have difficulty fitting into the building."
The Four Seasons Pool was built in 1970 and is located across Dominion Street across from Fire Hall No. 1. The new pool would be located north of the current pool at the Days Inn Motel building, downtown.
The primary objective, according to the city for the FSLP Replacement Project, is to create a flexible facility which will provide the maximum opportunity for swimmers of all levels and abilities with a pool that is 25 meters in length and six lanes wide.
The pool will also include a therapy/toddler pool, a leisure pool with a wading zone, play features and a slide.
Large change rooms are in the plan along with a spa, sauna and steam room.
The building will also be more accessible to those with mobility challenges.
The budget of $35 million includes construction costs, professional fees, change order contingency, escalation and furniture/fixtures/equipment. It does not include the cost of acquiring and preparing the preferred site or demolition of the existing FSLP site.
"We are currently making plans for presentations to various community groups so that people will have up-to-date information before the referendum," said City Manager, Kathleen Soltis.
Mayor Lyn Hall is encouraging all to come out and have their say.
"We know the dire condition the pool is in. And I really like the idea of taking a look at this ulterior location," Hall said.
"I'm looking forward to getting it out in the public and it will give the citizens of Prince George the opportunity to voice their opinion."
Fire Hall No. 1, the city's main fire hall, is to be relocated to a more central location at the south corner of Massey Drive and Carney Street.
According the city, this will expand its eight-minute response zone by 50 per cent.
More than 60 years old, city council concluded that the current location no longer meets the current standards as an emergency response facility, emergency operations centre and operations communications centre after receiving a fire underwriter's survey.
The new building will be earthquake resistant and will have adequate space to house employees and equipment.
The budget of $15 million includes construction costs, professional fees, change order contingency, escalation, Massey Drive improvements and furniture/fixtures/equipment. There is no land acquisition cost associated with this project.
"It's certainly aging," Hall said.
And after a tour, Coun. Albert Koehler couldn't agree more.
"It's a lot of money," Koehler said.
"I had a tour from one of the officers. The interior is not what it should be. And that's what changed my mind. It's not what a fire hall should be today."
The referendum is scheduled to take place on Oct. 28.
"These projects must be taken seriously," said Coun. Susan Scott. I hope we work our personal networks to get people involved and informed to come out and vote."
For more information regarding the referendum, visit: www.princegeorge.ca/referendum.
