Swimming pool fundraising leader Shannon Carlson last week made the case for the project to Barrhead County Council.
He said the support of county councillors was crucial amid growing momentum for a new $12-15 million aquatic centre.
“I really hope you guys will give us some positive feedback,” said Carlson, president of the Barrhead and District Agrena Society.
Carlson spoke to county councillors at their regular meeting last Tuesday.
Several councillors said hard information about the pool proposal was needed, including detailed costs, design plans and operating expenses.
It was important for people to have such details before voting on the project in an October plebiscite, they argued.
Coun. Darrell Troock said his concern was tax dollars and getting an answer to the all-important question: How much is the pool going to cost?
However, he said he had no doubt the project would go ahead.
“I am for the pool,” he declared.
Coun. Doug Drozd, who represents Division 1, also called for hard numbers and facts.
“I am not going to rush into making a decision unless I know all the facts,” he said. “I am going to have the hardest sell of all because of where I am.”
It was on Monday, Jan. 28, that Barrhead Town Council announced the site of the new pool.
Mayor Brian Schulz said council had purchased a five-acre parcel of land at the corner of 49 Street and 58 Avenue, across from the Petro-Canada gas station.
The municipality bought the raw land from the Schneider family for $175,000. It is part of a 14-acre plot, within sight of the Shepherd’s Care facility.
On March 1, architect’s drawings were unveiled at the Agrena Society’s Open House at the Multi-Purpose Room. Edmonton-based Barr Ryder’s pre-design options include a six-lane competition pool, waterslide, lazy river, spray park, leisure pool and hot tub. A flowrider for stand up and belly board surfing is another idea.
The hope is that the Town and County will each contribute $6 million to the project, with the rest of the money coming through fundraising, donations and possible sponsorship.
An Agrena Society fundraising campaign is already well under way, with the winners of a 50/50 lottery draw announced at the Open House. Another initiative, a trip to West Edmonton Mall’s Galaxyland, took place on Feb. 16 and made $8,700.
Carlson told county councillors that about $70,000 had been collected so far.
More and more organizations, he said, were joining the fundraising effort, including the Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce.
“I’ve had three calls this week about different groups wanting to fundraise,” he said.
Carlson said the Agrena Society was looking to come up with innovative money-spinning ventures.
“We are trying to find ways so that we don’t have to go hat in hand to everybody,” he added.
Carlson said surveys would be going out shortly, asking people what pool features they wanted.
He said in the lead-up to the plebiscite there will be town hall sessions, so people can make informed decisions.
What was needed from Barrhead County Council, added Carlson, was reinforcement of the progress made to date.
He said he hoped county councillors could take a positive approach to the project, irrespective of what their private views may be.
Town and County were entwined, with mutually dependent interests, he said.
If Barrhead was going to attract quality people wanting to settle here with their families, he said, then it had to offer excellent facilities.
It had to keep pace with and outstrip other communities, otherwise it wouldn’t bring in new doctors and other professionals.
“If Westlock has a brand new Spirit Centre then it puts us behind,” Carlson said.
Troock said Barrhead had nothing to fear from comparisons with Westlock.
It was ten times better than its rival.
“You can give me Westlock with a free lunch,” he said.
Cost – and how much extra taxpayers would have to pay – was his only concern about the project, he added.
Troock also said that any fancy features of a pool, such as a water slide, should be paid for by fundraising.
“I don’t think we should be putting a lot of emphasis on the frills of the pool,” he said.
Carlson believed the pool should have “bells and whistles” to make it a special attraction.
He said he thought the costs of running the new facility would be very close to those for the existing pool, taking into account repairs and maintenance. Modern technology could bring down expenses, he added.
Coun. Bill Lane suggested sponsors could be found to add special features to the pool, such as a wave generator.
“It would be a big benefit to go after sponsors,” he said.
Reeve Bill Lee said the greater the community buy-in into the project, the better.
Coun. Lawrence Miller asked whether the County should not be involved in the planning.
It was pointed out that Coun. Bill Lane and County Manager Mark Oberg attended meetings.
