The multi-million-dollar updates to the city's two pools will be a decision for a future council with other more pressing capital costs on this council's radar.
"I think this is really the tip of the iceberg," said Mayor Lyn Hall after council received the Aquatic Needs Assessment report, looking at the limits of the Four Seasons and P.G. Aquatic Centre.
Prince George has greater infrastructure needs with even older buildings, Hall said, including the main fire hall on Seventh Avenue, the Rolling Mix Concrete Arena, local rinks, and the Elksentre
"This is sobering news and it's certainly going to be a tough go."
But at the same time, the city has had a lot of use from its pools, especially the Four Seasons, which is reaching 50 years, consultants said Monday night.
The authors of the 500-plus page report recommended Four Seasons be replaced and an extra tank added to the Aquatic Centre for $62 million.
"It is the most expensive option but if you look at where you're headed at some point you're not going to be able to avoid these costs," said Doug Wournell of Dialog Architects.
The report also suggested replacing Four Seasons or upgrading the Aquatic Centre, both at a price tag of over $30 million.
They are viable but they won't solve issues around space, Wournell added, or be desirable to the community.
Councillors were mixed, with Brian Skakun saying outright he wouldn't support fixing the two pools and Jillian Merrick unwilling to give up on a downtown swimming space, something she said is good for the area.
"We have some huge capital costs coming our way," said Skakun, also pointing to the fire hall.
The report was about more than rebuild recommendations: it was an "all-encompassing" look at how the facilities are used now and projecting what the city's needs will be five to 15 years in the future, said Kevin Post, with Counsilman-Hunsaker.
They found residents especially valued having the two pools.
"Not everyone uses the pool in the same way," said Post and that's usually divided into four groups: competition, recreation, instructional, wellness and therapy.
People who want a quieter atmosphere go to Four Seasons and those that like activities head for the aquatic centre.
"Both were appreciated and both were being equally used... It seems to be working," added Wournell. But the Four Seasons likely couldn't last as is.
"Structurally it's fine for now," but problems will continue and if fixed in the short-term could lead to larger, more expensive approach in the future.
"It's kind of like an older car," Wournell said, leading to annual spending.
"It was designed for an era that no longer is with us," said Wournell, adding the clearest example is accessibility.
The city subsidizes residents' use of the facilities by about 40 per cent, staff said.
Most of revenue at Four Seasons was from programming, but at Aquatic Centre less than 10 per cent came from that revenue stream, with most from recreational use.
Merrick said she's interested to see whether Vanderhoof's new pool will have any effect on pool use in Prince George.
"They're doing it for $12 million," she said of Vanderhoof, which just finalized funding this summer.
"Where there's a will there's a way."
Councillors weren't asked to make a decision and heard the next step is to refer to staff to come back with a road map going forward.
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