By Josh Hall and Sheldon Spackman

Maybe Next Time

Aquatic centre remains outside of Red Deer’s 10-year capital plan

Nov 5, 2020 | 4:10 PM

Dreams of a new aquatic centre featuring a 50 metre pool in Red Deer appear to be just that for now.

The City of Red Deer’s proposed 10-year Capital Plan released Thursday contains no plans for a new aquatics centre, despite many years of lobbying from residents and the local swim community.

Roy van der Sluis with the Central Alberta Aquatic Committee says he’s not surprised.

“On the positive side, we are encouraged that The City does realize that the aquatic centre is one of the next big needs of the city and they are still looking at land and looking at a facility,” says van der Sluis. “So we’re very hopeful that although it’s not in this budget, they’re going to find a way to get it into the next budget.”

After roughly 20 years of lobbying for the project, van der Sluis says the swim community and many local residents are very anxious to see the project move forward.

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“We keep presenting the facility and nothing ever happens,” he points out. “COVID-19 has shown how desperately we need something here in the city because we just do not have the lane space for public and for sport. And with sport having to do virtual competitions, clubs like artistic swimming (formerly known as synchronized swimming) can’t even really participate because there simply isn’t an adequate facility here for them to properly do their routines.”

van der Sluis says, “Red Deer has shown itself as a sport leader in many sports in the community. It’s about time they step it up for swimming.”

Mayor Tara Veer admits she too is disappointed that a new aquatic centre can’t be included in the city’s proposed capital plans at this time.

“We know that many in our community have waited a long time with respect to the aquatic centre,” she said Thursday. “The City has engaged in good faith with our community on that and obviously over the last couple of years we’ve deliberated it significantly and have taken steps toward preliminary plans so that we can be prepared for that as the next major amenity when the time is right financially.”

Veer added, “The barrier has been, and continues to be, the significant capital investment that is required for that and the significant operating that that would have. For us to be able to build that amenity, it has to be financially sustainable and we’re not in a financial scenario where that next major infrastructure amenity project is feasible.”

City Manager Allan Seabrooke says work remains ongoing in keeping the aquatic centre project alive.

“It’s not a project that has been lost,” says Seabrooke. “As you know, we do have a consultant that has been looking at the various potential locations for an aquatic centre and they have concluded their work. They’ve also been looking at the various costs that would be incurred at various locations.”

Seabrooke anticipates those findings to be provided to council and the community at some point later this year, either at a regular meeting or during budget talks.

“As administration, we keep our ear to the ground on any potential funding sources that may exist for infrastructure or grants that may be able to come available for The City to access,” he explains. “But during these economic times, as you see with our budget, it is pretty much solely concentrated on looking after what we already have. Quite honestly, it’s not financially prudent to proceed with additional large new infrastructure amenities during these times.”