City council will consider the proposed $35 million demolition and replacement of the Four Seasons Leisure Pool when they meet to debate the city's 2017-2021 capital plan on Feb. 1.
Last year, the city conducted an aquatic needs assessment, which put forward three options: demolish and replace the Four Seasons pool; replace the Four Seasons pool and upgrade the Prince George Aquatic Centre at an estimated cost of $63 million; or do the minimum necessary upgrades to the Four Seasons pool and do a major expansion of the Aquatic Centre, at an estimated cost of $37 million.
During Monday's city council meeting city manager Kathleen Soltis said city staff recommend the replacement of the "nearly 50 year old pool" downtown. City staff will present council with a debt-financing plan for the pool when it considers the capital plan on Feb. 1.
"We knew this was coming - it is an enormous cost," Coun. Brian Skakun said. "This, in my opinion, would be a perfect referendum question."
In order to approve a $35 million loan to finance the pool, the city would either need to put the issue to a referendum or the alternative approval process. Under the alternative approval process, eligible city voters would have 30 days to submit an opposition form opposing the approval of the loan. If 10 per cent of the eligible voters submit the form within the 30 days, then the alternative approval process would have been defeated.
"This Four Seasons pool is very well used, including by my own family... it needs some replacement, one way or the other," Coun. Albert Koehler said. "I am against the alternative approval process. We have to bite the bullet and, like (eating) an elephant, one bite at a time."
According to information provided by the city, the Four Seasons pool sees approximately 115,000 users per year, including the 63,000 people who participate in the 2,583 classes and programs.
The annual operating cost of the pool is approximately $1.5 million per year, with more than $496,000 coming from user fees.
The city estimates $4.7 million in repairs, safety and security upgrades are needed over the next five years to keep the current pool operational.
If city council approves the plan to replace the pool, the city would do the minimum necessary work on the pool to meet safety requirements until the planned demolition, Soltis said.
City general manager of engineering and public works Dave Dyer said if the funding for the new pool was approved, it would likely be 2019 or 2020 before construction would begin on the new facility.
Mayor Lyn Hall said Prince George is facing an infrastructure deficit and city council will have to make some tough decisions.
"It's a big decision."
