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The subject of a new pool again reared its head at Monday's Saugeen
Shores Town Council meeting.
A recommendation was brought forward by Mike Myatt, Director of
Community Services, to enter in a contract/agreement for a feasibility
study, Phase 2, of the Pool Replacement Consultation with Competitive
Edge Research and Consulting (CERC) for a fee of $11,520 (+GST).
Tenders had been sent out to 10 potential bidders but only three
consulting firms submitted bids - CERC with $11,520, Monteith Brown at
$15,000 and Archon Artchitect Inc. at $65,000.
Councillor Diane Huber expressed her concerns. "It was a pool
feasibility study and now it looks as though replacement will happen.
Do we need a pool at all? There has been no clear idea from the
community that we do need one. It's no longer a feasibility issue -
it's what are we gong to build. I've been hearing from people that 'our
tax dollars for this should not be necessary'.
Councillor Victoria Serda on the other hand stated her support for the
project but felt that a broader strategic plan was needed. She also
said however, that she felt, "We need to go to the community about
recreational issues."
"I am very concerned about the costs here and I don't want to commit any
further money," said Vice Deputy Mayor, Doug Gowanlock. "We have to
figure out how we are gong to finance something like this."
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(continued)
"Well, someone's going to have to twist my arm to foot this bill,"
said Councillor Thead Seaman. "Where are all these people who want a
pool built?
Councillor Luke Charbonneau added that, what he felt was needed was a
sound business plan. "We have to look at what and where to build first,
then the financing. Then, when we know the costs, we can determine how
it might be able to pay for itself."
According to Myatt, in 10 years, the present facility may not be in its
current location. "The idea of this feasability study is to look at the
three options - attach a pool to the Plext as a stand-alone; attach it
to the Plex along with other amenities; build new on the seven acres of
land adjacent to the new 'Y' facility or look at land elsewhere."
Councillor Shildroth stated that, "It doesn't matter what we call it
(the study). The money will give us a preliminary study in order to
make an intelligent decision."
In the 2008 budget, $15,000 had been approved for a study and it was
unanimously decided to award the contract to CERC
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