The Region of Queens Municipality has decided to pull the plug on the possibility of an indoor pool at Queens Place Emera Centre.
It’s been three years since the Queens Community Aquatic Society (QCAS) launched a campaign to build an indoor pool.
But with the the possibility of the municipality being on the hook for up to $4 million for the build, Mayor David Dagley says council had to turn it down.
“The issue becomes the eight cents on the tax rate or more and it was not an issue of tax increases that council was comfortable with.”
The estimated minimum cost for a four-lane, 25-metre-pool was $12 million, with a goal of cost sharing with the provincial and federal governments.
Cost overruns also halted a plan to include a pool when Queens Place was built in 2010 – the hookups were installed, in case the opportunity arose in the future.
Dagley says residents were surveyed several years ago on the issue of a pool and were in favour but did not want to see it increase their tax rates.
The municipality would have also had to foot the bill for maintenance.
In a news release the QCAS expressed their disappointment in the decision.
“While the QCAS is extremely disappointed in the Council’s decision regarding a year-round aquatic facility, we wish to express appreciation to the Mayor, CAO, and Director of Recreation, for their work with us and for their diligence in doing what is affordable for the Region,” reads the release, “Without a significant contribution from a benefactor, the funding of an aquatic facility is not currently feasible.”
We have reached out to the aquatic society for comment.
Story by Brittany Wentzell
Twitter: @BrittWentzell
Email: wentzell.brittany@radioabl.ca
