The District of Vanderhoof has hired the YMCA of Northern British Columbia to assist with a development of an operating strategy in connection with the new Vanderhoof Aquatic Centre.
“The YMCA is already in the community and currently offers recreational programs.
“We already contract our programs through them,” said Zoe Dhillon, special projects coordinator with the District of Vanderhoof.
“And the YMCA has experience in running pools and these types of facilities.”
The operating strategy will determine items such as: hours of operation, number of employees required, cost structure, programs to be offered, pool equipment and all safety protocols, according to the District of Vanderhoof.
The local YMCA will be working with the DOV to ensure local needs and concerns are met for the new facility.
And local residents are eager to take a sneak peak of the new facility with concrete already poured for the new lap pool.
“It’s pretty awesome. Residents are very excited as they drive by,” Dhillon said.
“But we are also looking at this as a regional pool and we have communicated with other communities are they are very excited.”
Other nearby communities such as Fort St. James will no longer have to travel to Prince George for swimming lessons or competitions.
The $12 million project is due for completion in the fall, 2018.
It all began with a local referendum in March, 2013.
“Community fundraising began in June, 2014 and we reached our community goal in March, 2016,” Dhillon said.
The community came together with extensive fundraising efforts through the district, the Vanderhoof Pool Society and rural electoral areas.
The District of Vanderhoof also applied for grants and in July, 2016, it received the final $6 million infrastructure grant from UBCM.
The facility will have no shortage of features including a leisure pool, a lazy river, a six lane lap pool, a 26 seat jacuzzi and a sauna.
“Its such a great use of space and there is a lot of water space,” Dhillon said.
According to the Vanderhoof Pool Society, there are various benefits associated with having a local aquatic centre including increased local pride, being able to offer healthy and positive opportunities for youth and adults, enhancing water safety, hosting swimming events and attracting business into the community.
“We are thrilled to be moving the Vanderhoof Aquatic Centre into its next phase,” said Vanderhoof Mayor Gerry Thiessen.
“Now that construction is well underway, the district is pleased to be working with the YMCA of Northern BC with their extensive experience on developing an operations strategy.”
For more information regarding the aquatic centre, visit: www.vanderhoof.ca.
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