The process to build a new pool in Maple Ridge is underway, council heard Monday.
It started Dec. 10 when council decided not to go ahead with costly renovations to the Maple Ridge Leisure Centre pool, said chief administrator Ted Swabey.
“Council then made a decision, in my opinion, to build a new pool. And I think there’s some confusion on whether that’s actually what we did. But I believe we made that decision.”
The decision happened after council, in November, weighed the $110-million borrowing proposal included in the budget, to pay for a raft of recreation and cultural projects.
Council also decided to have a parallel process on what to build for that money.
That, in itself, raises public expectations, Swabey said.
However, “you have passed a motion to build a new pool.”
It’s like adopting a neighbourhood plan – you get input and raise expectations,” he said.
“But then we have a motion to build a pool … bring back a report on how we can build a pool.
“So the expectations now are clearly set.”
Revisiting that could affect public confidence, he added.
Mayor Nicole Read agreed that the public’s expectations have been raised.
“I feel our CAO is correct, that there is a public expectation now around that.”
But there hasn’t been an official decision to build a new pool, she said later.
The topic came up as audit committee chair Coun. Bob Masse raised questions about the minutes from a previous meeting dealing with the borrowing.
Read said later that council approved a motion Dec. 10 telling staff to report back recommending a site for new pool, a concept plan, a public engagement process and how a new aquatic centre would be paid for.
At the same meeting, council also decided to put a hold on the major renovations to the existing Maple Ridge Leisure Centre pool until a new pool is built.
To the public that says the city wants a new pool built, she added.
“But there are many decisions that will come to council along the road towards constructing a new pool.”
The project would have to go to a public approval process.
“I think it’s important for us to have public input.”
Council also now has to decide which other recreation projects it wants, then must get approval to borrow up to $110 million.
“Once we’re in a ready position, we’d obviously be pursuing funding that became available from any source, provincial or federal,” Read said.
“There’s no commitment from council to spending $110 million.”
Coun. Craig Speirs backed up the mayor at the meeting.
“I did make a decision, I thought, to fund a pool, just because of the situation with the present one.”
He pointed out that Maple Ridge is one of the largest cities west of the Great Lakes.
“We’ve got to understand that we’re not small potatoes anymore.”
Whatever range of project council decides will go through a public input process.
Coun. Bob Masse says council just decided to look at options.
“I didn’t hear us say, ‘We’re going to build a pool.’ I didn’t hear us saying to staff, ‘We’re going to build a pool, tell us how to do it.’ I heard, ‘Bring us options for what that would look like.’ “
He wanted the minutes from a previous meeting to show that senior government funding would be part of the discussion.
Masse added that he wants to be clear in discussions with the public.
The exact motion from the Dec. 10 meeting reads: “That staff be directed to bring back a report that recommends a site, a concept plan, a public engagement process and a plan that outlines the funding source and approval process for a new aquatic facility …”
A new aquatic centre, wellness centre and curling rink could cost up to $70 million.
Coun. Gordy Robson described the situation as a “Twilight Zone,” adding that allocating city money now could jeopardize senior government funding later.
Read said she doesn’t see expect that any federal or provincial dollars will be jeopardized by the city getting approval to borrow on its own.
“The permission to borrow is about borrowing money. We don’t have the money on hand. I don’t think we just borrow the money and leave it sitting in the bank if we don’t need it.”