Barrhead enters the new year facing a $2 million dilemma over the swimming pool project.
Mayor Gerry St. Pierre says the County’s $5m spending cap on the pool means other funding sources may be required. So far, the lowest projected cost for a new aquatic centre is $14,648,000.
The County’s decision, added St. Pierre, also appears to affect the Town’s Oct. 21 pool plebiscite. In it, Town residents were asked whether they supported their municipality borrowing up to $7m for a $15m pool, provided the County covered 50 per cent of the costs.
Nine hundred and thirty-four voted “yes,” 625 voted “no.” Although not legally binding, the plebiscite does carry ethical weight. However, a question mark now hangs over it with the County committing $2m less than was hoped for.
“It may leave us high and dry,” said St. Pierre on Dec. 19. “It means that maybe we can only spend a maximum of $5m of Barrhead taxpayers’ money and, if the pool costs more, we will have to find sources of money elsewhere.”
St. Pierre said it was hard to see how a $10m pool could be built which would be a source of pride for Barrhead for the next two generations.
Perhaps inefficiencies could be identified, he said, perhaps user fees could be increased. But such measures would only make a small dent in the operating deficit.
St. Pierre stressed he was thankful for any County funding for Town recreational facilities; after all, the municipality was under no obligation to pay a cent.
However, added St. Pierre, gratitude did not mean the contributions were fair.
“The County should put themselves in our shoes,” he said.
Pointing out 50 per cent of the users of recreational venues like the Agrena and swimming pool come from the County, St. Pierre said ratepayers of Barrhead still had to pay a much larger portion of the capital costs of such facilities.
He said operating costs were one of the biggest ongoing irritants. It was unrealistic to expect recreational facilities to make money or break even.
For example, said St. Pierre, in 2012 the deficits for the Agrena and pool were $320,000 and $356,000 respectively, or $676,000 combined.
Years ago the County agreed to pay a portion of those deficits, increasing their contribution slightly each year.
Last year, said St. Pierre, the County contributed $128,000 – 19 per cent of the operating deficit, leaving the Town to pay 81 per cent.
Such a comparison, added St. Pierre, should also factor in that about 60 per cent of Barrhead’s population live in the county and 40 per cent in town.
“Again I say we are grateful for what the County gives us, but is it fair?” he said.
“It is fair that 50 per cent of the users contribute to 19 per cent of the deficit?”
When the Agrena was built, St. Pierre said, the County covered about five per cent of the costs.
It led to banter about a two-tier user fee system for Town and County residents. Such talk could resurface over the pool after latest developments.
“I don’t think that would be the right thing to do for the sake of the community working together and getting along,” said St. Pierre. “It would be a very, very last resort.”
St. Pierre wondered whether the low swimming fees made sense given the costs associated with a pool, including maintenance, lifeguards and administrators.
He drew comparisons with a sport like golf. The cost of a 12-month season pass for an adult swimmer is $260, while basic membership to the golf course is $1,200, without cart passes.
“Don’t forget, you can only play golf at most six months of the year,” he said. “We have to ask what is realistic, what is a reasonable rate for swimming?”
St. Pierre added, however, that even if rates were doubled the extra income would only offset a tiny portion of the deficit.
At their Dec. 17 meeting, County councillors agreed on the wording for their municipality’s own plebiscite, expected to be held in March.
County residents will be asked: “Are you in favour of the County of Barrhead No. 11 borrowing a maximum of $5 million dollars for the purpose of providing a maximum $5 million dollar contribution to the Town of Barrhead for the Town’s construction of a swimming pool?”
Reeve Bill Lee said the $5 million borrowing ceiling was set after talks with Municipal Affairs, the financial department and the auditor.
“It is the maximum we can put into the project while exercising financial prudence.”
Lee said by January the County will know the tax implications of such a borrowing requirement.
“We will then hold about three Open Houses and send out letters explaining the whole thing before the plebiscite,” he added.
It was on Monday, Jan. 28 that Barrhead Town Council announced the proposed site of the pool – a five-acre parcel of raw land at the corner of 49 Street and 58 Avenue, across from the Petro-Canada gas station.
Edmonton-based Barr Ryder have put together three concepts – each one featuring a six-lane 25-metre pool, zero depth entry pool, a 24-person whirlpool and a current channel similar to a lazy river. They differ in square footage and their projected costs are $17,250,000, $14,689,000 and $14,648,000.
The Agrena Society has raised more than $100,000 for the project.
