Town council looks to build new pool in 2014

A new aquatic centre will be built in 2014 if Barrhead Town Council has its way. It is expected to cost $12-15 million.

Councillors have also agreed to decide on a suitable pool site “as soon as possible.”

They hope they may be in a position to make a decision by the beginning of November after Chief Administrative Officer Martin Taylor has consulted architects and got expert advice.

The developments came at last Monday’s Town meeting where Mayor Brian Schulz put forward a motion to proceed to build a new pool in 2014 with three requirements:

• That on the 2013 municipal election ballot residents be asked whether they support the project along with an estimated borrowing by-law of $6,000;

• That the Agrena Society be asked to present its conceptual design in the spring of 2013 to both Town and County; and

• That administration be authorized to acquire a parcel of land to accommodate a new pool.

“We have to show leadership,” Schulz told councillors. “There is too much fear-mongering about money and location.”

Last Thursday, Shannon Carlson, president of the Barrhead and District Agrena Society, which will spearhead fund-raising for the project, welcomed the council’s show of support.

“We feel that the council has put its best foot forward,” he said. “The council has given us a foundation to work with.”

Carlson also expressed complete confidence that the Town would pick the best site for the pool.

At the Town meeting, Carlson told councillors that fund-raising for the pool was under way. However, questions were being asked about the new pool’s location.

“We want to know with all the public are the Town and County councils on board to build this pool?” he asked.

Carlson said the new pool would only become a reality with both authorities behind it.

“We have to stand strong together,” he added. On the site issue, Carlson said the Agrena Society had received comments from the local swimming club, school and general public.

There were concerns about Barrhead swimming programs being shut down for a year if the council chose to build the pool at the existing aquatic centre, he said. “I feel we have better locations,” said Carlson, who suggested the outdoor rink deserved consideration.

Schulz said the council had also received comments from organizations and the public.

He assured Carlson that the council was working on the matter, and not sitting back and waiting for someone else to take the initiative.

Schulz said he hoped the council would be in a position soon to make an announcement on the pool. He thanked Carlson for his presentation and praised the Agrena Society for its work.

“We are behind you,” he said.

The Mayor’s motion was put forward and passed after Carlson left the council chamber.

Coun. Don Smith pushed for the council to come to a decision soon on the pool site.

“I don’t think our options are going to change,” he said. Schulz said it was important to get Public Works and Recreation departments involved since so many issues needed to be decided – from water and sewage to traffic.

Coun. Roy Ulmer hoped the council would not disregard the baseball diamond as a possible site.

Coun. Ty Assaf said due diligence had to be carried out and the council should not rush such a decision.

But Smith said the matter had been discussed for a long time; the site options were well known to all councillors and he could not foresee them changing.

Schulz said the council should request Administration act on consulting architects as soon as possible. He cautioned against promising a decision by a fixed date.

The search for a new pool site has become a contentious issue in the public arena.

After the council earmarked the major baseball diamond opposite the Agrena for a new swimming pool, the decision that did not sit well with some sports enthusiasts, including Carlson.

Barrhead Swim Club has been calling for a new six-lane pool suitable for staging major events.

The current centre offers a 25-metre five-lane pool with a lounge area, whirlpool, climbing wall, tots pool, shower and change facilities, multi-purpose room and first aid area.