Town gives County pool ultimatum

Town of Barrhead has given the County of Barrhead an ultimatum when it comes to negotiations for a new aquatic centre.

The Town has made a decision to cease negotiations with the County until the County agrees to contribute 40 per cent of the net annual operating costs of the new facility. Council held an administrative session on Friday, July 18, 2014 to discuss the County of Barrhead’s latest proposal. After the session, the town issued the following press release from CAO Martin Taylor.

“Mayor St.Pierre and Council members wish to inform residents that the approved New Aquatic Centre Project is on hold until the County of Barrhead contributes 40 per cent of the annual operating cost for the lifespan of the facility,” wrote Taylor. “Town Council is appreciative of the County of Barrhead’s $5 million capital contribution; however, they must contribute their portion of the operating costs. The Barrhead Regional Aquatic Centre is deemed an essential service to our progressive and sustainable community. Council has given County Council until August 7th to respond to our letter for a yes or no answer, otherwise the project will cease on August 8.”

Town of Barrhead Mayor Gerry St. Pierre explained Council’s latest decision.

“It is extremely frustrating (that we had to give them an ultimatum). By now. after three or four years, they should know how important this is to the community. They should know that time is of the essence and we have to get on with this project. It is frustrating that it took this long but it wasn’t a difficult decision to make at all,” St. Pierre said. “We made it pretty clear that we have compromised enough and the bottom line is they have to commit to 40 per cent of the net operating costs. I think the citizens of the community of Barrhead know that if we are going to proceed with this project we need the County’s cooperation.”

St. Pierre then addressed Council’s decision to reject the County’s proposal of looking at other types of options, including an option from Sprung Structures.

“The Sprung Structure is completely off the table because there are a lot of unknown factors. We hired this architect three years ago, we trust him. He has some serious issues with this type of structure, the biggest issue being that this type of structure won’t work on the current site. It cannot exist between the two buildings,” said St. Pierre. “The most serious concern is that this structure hasn’t been tried or proven in an area like ours. We shouldn’t be a guinea pig.”

County of Barrhead Reeve Bill Lee discussed the town’s latest proposal and their ultimatum.

“That’s their choice. I guess that Councils will meet and everything else, but that is something that they have chosen, so okay. We’ll take it to Council like any other letter we receive and we’ll talk about it,” said Lee. “Of course it’s frustrating. But as I said to you before, all that we can do is look after our own municipality. We’re not in charge of another one. They can put their request to us and we’ll have to just deal with it.”

Lee admitted that a pool in the community of Barrhead is not out of the question.

“Maybe down the road we will get the Sprung structure a different way, a different how, or whatever. I hope the community doesn’t think it will never see a pool. The pool that we are thinking of today, with Councils’ involvement, yes that one’s gone,” said Lee. “The first pool was built by the Kinsmen. We’ve still got $5 million from the County that wants to go towards the pool. The community can come together. It was built without government before, who knows what can happen. If the community wants this pool, it will get a pool.”

St. Pierre admitted that he doesn’t know what the County will do with their latest proposal.

“I am tired of guessing what the County is going to do with our letter but if they have the best interests of the residents at heart, they will accept our proposal,” concluded St. Pierre.