Vanderhoof gets pool funding

After years waiting for the finances to come through, Vanderhoof residents can finally dive into the deep end and put a construction date on their very own pool

At a celebration Tuesday, provincial and federal officials announced the remaining half of the funding for the $12-million project will come through the federal Gas Tax Fund.

The aquatic centre has been a goal for the district for the last quarter century, Vanderhoof's mayor said.

"This grant will allow us to complete a vision we have had for well over 25 years," Gerry Thiessen said in a statement. "The Aquatic Centre will provide the Nechako Valley the opportunity to attract and retain residents of all ages to our region. We will have a facility that will give our area a great environment to learn to swim."

In total, B.C. is contributing $7.4 million to this project through the federal Gas Tax Fund, $6 million of which was just announced.

"It is exciting to see funding in place so that Vanderhoof can move forward on the construction of its Aquatic Centre," said Al Richmond, president, Union of BC Municipalities. "The support provided by the government of Canada has been critical for this project. I am very appreciative of the ongoing investments in British Columbia's communities through the federal Gas Tax Fund."

The community came together through extensive fundraising efforts, pooling together millions through the district, the Vanderhoof Pool Society and the nearby rural electoral areas.

A major coup for the aquatic advocates came in 2013 when voters chose to support the project in a referendum that would raise $4 million and raise property taxes more than 19 per cent to finance the loan.

In March, the district announced it would focus on the design stage and that phase three - the tender process - would begin when the money was confirmed.

The goal was to have construction-ready documents ready by the end of the summer.