Demand for pool time has outpaced Prince George's aging aquatic facilities, driving a need to replace the outdated infrastructure.
A report before council Monday offers two very expensive options: $37-million on the low end and $62-million for a complete overhaul.
It's an information report to council so it's unlikely any decisions will arise from the recommendations.
Nearing 50 years old, the Four Seasons pool has "a host of issues due to its age," chief among them accessibility, inadequate changerooms, an unsafe and slippery deck and poor public access control. The P.G. Aquatic Centre's main drawbacks are it's at capacity and inability to offer rental time or classes, the mechanical system isn't performing well and the roof-top parapets "must be dealt with in the immediate future."
Report authors Dialog Architects and Counsilman-Hunsaker Consulting recommend complete replacement of Four Seasons pool near its current location at a cost of almost $33 million. Add that to the recommended $29 million in updates to the Aquatic Centre, including a new swim tank, for more training and program space.
They recommended this option because it's the only one that "addresses all of the concerns raised in the reports, stakeholder meetings, online surveys, and the public open house," the report said.
"Its selection will allow the city to continue to offer safe and functional aquatic facilities while also be able to meet current and future demands for aquatics program time."
But if the cost is too prohibitive, it said the Aquatic Centre could be upgraded to support all aquatic activities as a regional destination for $36,943,079.
While the report was clear in its recommendation that both facilities should be upgraded, the city's manager of sustainable community said it's important the public know both are safe.
"Although the Four Seasons Leisure Pool is nearing the end of its life, both our facilities, it's structurally, mechanically and electrically sound to use," Tina Schaeffer said.
Schaeffer said much has changed since both pools were built, especially Four Seasons in the 1970s, but even the Aquatic Centre, built about two decades ago.
"A lot of trends have changed and people's needs and desires for different programming and the buildings in how they were constructed may not meet those needs anymore," said Schaeffer, pointing to accessibility as one example.
With 600 responses to the online survey and a number of public meetings the report also showed what pools mean to Prince George residents.
"The aquatic facilities are, bar none, one of the most well-loved facilities in our community," she said.
