PHASE 3 NEXT WAVE Begins

Town Council

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There appeared to an overwhelming majority in favour of a new swimming pool complex at the open public meeting held Thursday night at The Plex in Port Elgin.

The meeting, facilitated by planning consultants from Monteith Brown, was part of Phase 3 in the development of plans for a possible new aquatic facility.

Phase 1, which started the process, was initiated in 2007 when it was determined that the existing Centennial pool located at the local high school, was nearing its life expectancy after 35 years of operation and would require a considerable investment to bring it up to today's standards. In addition, it is uncertain as to what the Bluewater Schoolboard plans are for the secondary school. One audience member, who uses the pool as part of acquatic fitness explained that the pool is not only difficult for those with any physical challenge but that the building itself was difficult to get into for anyone who needed to use the pool for any kind of physical therapy.

Phase 2 included several public meetings where suggestions and/or recommendations were collected as to what people actually wanted to see in a new facility and where they wanted it located. At that point, many supported locating it near The Plex, although space was of concern while others wanted to see it as a continuation, in some form, as part of the high school.

According to the consultants at Thursday's meeting, there are very broad trends that have been developing as a result of lifestyle and aging populations. Many people appear to be experiencing a lack of time when it comes to leisure activities and would prefer what is now known as, 'self-scheduling drop-in activities'. There has also been a decline in most areas in organized sports where cost can be a factor. The consultant acknowledged that there is a need for any facility to be sustainable and, at the same time, affordable for participants or users.

On the other hand, the trend is also toward activities such as walking and swimming. Aquatics, according to the consultant, is particularly seen to have therapeutic value particularly with a population that is aging. In Saugeen Shores, the median age is 47 as compared to the Provincial age of 39. There is also a higher level of education and professional backgrounds that have a bearing on the types of leisure activities that are wanted and/or needed.

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27/08/2009 11:21 PM

Although planning is still in the preliminary stage, any plan presented to Council must show justification for going ahead with an aquatic facility. Part of the planning is to determine the core components such as what type of pool is best for the community, leisure or lane swimming or a combination; what type of pool entry is wanted; water-play elements if any; family change rooms; spectator viewing area; meeting rooms; a walking/running track; wellness studio and the list goes on.

The consultants also pointed out that each community is different and, therefore, public input is valued before a business plan or designs can be initiated. A question and answer from the floor at the meeting brought out several areas of very specific concerns by those in attendance but everyone who stepped up to the microphone was in favour a new facility going ahead despite the confirmation by the consultant that swimming or aquatic facilities always run at a deficit.

Some saw an aquatic facility as a boon to attract tourism while others viewed it more from a health standpoint for both young and old.

John Kyles, President of the Beachers' Association in Port Elgin, with a membership of some 300 families, said that its members used aquatic facilities in the cities and would like to do the same in the area during the three months or so that they are in the local area.

Hanover, which now has a new aquatic facility, had 70,000 users during its first year of operation [although that number has dropped slightly]. The population base to justify a pool is generally 20,000 but that can also include surrounding areas according to Monteith Brown consultant.

It is expected that full report will be completed by Monteith Brown Consulting by the end of November to present to Council.

"We've done all we could to bring this before the public," said Mike Myatt, Director of Community Services. "We asked that anyone with concerns or anyone who was either for or against building a new facility come to the meetings and give their feedback or input. It appeared here tonight that only those who are for a new pool came out. People can still register their input however, by calling the town and letting us know. There will be another public meeting in October to consider the report that will be prepared by Monteith Brown before it's finalized in November."