Council approves scope, design of future aquatic centre

To get the project into the 10-year capital plan will require something along the lines of a Herculean effort, however.

“Slotting that number into a certain year comes down to a decision of the council of the day,” said City Manager Allan Seabrooke when asked by Councillor Buck Buchanan what the difference would be between throwing the project into the capital plan two years from now as opposed to in 2028.

“The numbers are the numbers. So you either re-prioritize projects already on the books, or you increase the debt limit, and be willing to take on the millions of dollars in operating costs and add that to your budget, which doesn’t fit in well with a zero per cent tax increase.”

The estimated overall cost of a new multi-use aquatic centre is $75 million. Inflation pushes that cost to $91 million by 2028.

Councillor Vesna Higham noted her past opposition to this project’s high capital costs, but admitted it is now in the realm of something she can work with.

She also responded to feedback she’s come across from citizens asking why Hazlett Lake is not one of the sites being considered. Due to confidentiality, City administration could not confirm whether it was ever being considered.

“I live blocks away from where a potential site could’ve been, and as a citizen I would love to see an aquatic centre located there. It would be a great asset right off the highway and it could spark residential development,” Higham remarked. “However, as a councillor, knowing some of the detailed numbers of what it would cost, that site would be exponentially more expensive.”

Higham also noted that Red Deer is the only urban centre in Alberta without a 50-metre competitive pool.

Councillor Tanya Handley added that she’s, “been opposed to this facility in the past, but with this design, I feel it’s practical, reasonable and not overbuilt or excessive.”

Council’s current budget guidelines restrict them from going past 75 per cent of the provincial debt limit. In order to finance this facility, it would cause the City to surge above that threshold for multiple cycles unless they scrap other projects.

Add in operating costs and council heard the project would force them to strongly consider much higher property tax increases in the years ahead.

Once council selects a final location by the middle of next year, decisions will need to be made on the future of the existing downtown Recreation Centre and Michener Aquatic Centre before the project can be inserted into the long-term capital plan.

The report from GEC Architecture suggests that once a new facility is built, the community would have an excess of recreational water. That conclusion would lead to a council debate over whether to keep those facilities open or to repurpose them.

Council also heard that the existing outdoor pool has already exceeded its lifespan, and while the City will operate it as long it functions, its future appears bleak.

An outdoor feature at an additional cost of around $6.5 to $7.4 million would likely be built adjacent to a new multi-use facility in order to take advantage of shared servicing.

It was strongly recommended that the City take some action sooner than later so that it can present a shovel-ready project when federal or provincial infrastructure grants become available, which is also something that could alleviate pressures on debt limit.

As for the local swim community, including the Central Alberta Aquatic Committee which consulted with the City and GEC Architecture on the design, it’s good news, says member Roy van der Sluis.

“This will finally give our team a facility it’s desperately needed for 20 years and finally allow aquatics to be a part of the sports legacy Red Deer is trying to be known for, says van der Sluis, also president of the local Masters Swim Club. “This is perfect for Red Deer. The cost is very reasonable, and we realized the scope they had before was way out of proportion for Red Deer.”

van der Sluis adds there’s historically been far too much focus on ice surfaces in the city.

“Eighty-year-olds are regularly swimming, but I don’t see those same folks on the ice,” he says. “If you fall on the ice at that age, you’re going to the hospital. If you’re in the water, you’re avoiding going to the hospital.”

by Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Council approves scope, design of future aquatic centre

What's Trending