Pitt Meadows will consider hiring a consultant to investigate whether the city should proceed with building an indoor pool.
A staff report to council recommends the city hire Brian Johnson of Professional Environmental Recreation Consultants Ltd. for $2,000 to review whether the city actually needs an indoor pool and what type of facility would best serve the city.
The last study that investigated an indoor pool was done in 2004, by PERC.
In a report to council, director of recreation Wendy McCormick said planning reports over the past eight years have been consistent in indicating significant community interest in an indoor pool.
“The 2004 PERC report identified that there is a defined need for an aquatic facility and this was repeated in the 2010 Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan for Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge,” said McCormick.
Johnson has many years of experience and expertise in planning aquatic facilities. He recently worked with Port Coquitlam and Coquitlam to analyze outdoor aquatic infrastructure and the Township of Langley to assess the needs for an indoor aquatic facility in Aldergrove.
The city’s long-term capital plan anticipates constructing an indoor pool by 2017.
With the clock ticking, Mayor Deb Walters said it makes sense to investigate whether that plan should remain on the books or be pushed further into the future.
“I would like to see a business case on it,” she added.
“My opinion is it would be nice to have, but is it a necessity? We have pump stations that need replacing and infrastructure we have to be concerned about. It’s kind of like your own budget at home. Do you go on the trip or replace the fridge that’s dying? You have to weigh out the importance of it.”
As part of the review, staff recommend the consultant investigate what type of pool should be built, current trends in other municipalities and recommend how the city should proceed.
“Do we even have the population to support it? Maybe that’s why it’s a good idea to bring in a consultant to make a business case and figure out if it’s feasible,” said Walters.
“If we don’t have a population to support it, it doesn’t make sense to go ahead.”
Council was set to discuss hiring a consultant at a committee meeting Tuesday but won’t make a final decision until its next regular meeting.
Walters said the city will need support from the federal or provincial government or another third party to build the pool.
“We have always said we can’t build it unless we have third party funding. It’s a project we just can’t afford to take on.”
The costs of construction will be paid for by Pitt Meadows but Maple Ridge will share operating costs, under its joint service agreement, once the pool is built.