Hay River (Mar 24/03) - Hay River ratepayers will vote Wednesday on whether the town should borrow up to $4 million to build a new aquatic and leisure centre.

Greg Rowe, the chair of the Hay River Recreation Board, supports a new aquatic centre for the town. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

And Greg Rowe, the chair of the Hay River Recreation Board, is confident the plebiscite will succeed.

Rowe was speaking following a March 19 public information meeting attended by about 100 people, most apparently in favour of the project.

"It was good to see the support come out," he said.

Former recreation director Ron Cook voiced his support. "I'm going to vote for it, for sure."

Prominent businessman Jack Rowe said, "If we don't put money into the infrastructure of the town, nobody is going to come along and build it for us."

One ratepayer predicted a new aquatic centre would have a positive economic impact on the town, and likened it to the benefits of the golf course.

However, the support was far from unanimous.

Lyle Froehlich said he has problems with the extravagance of the project, and suggested other designs might be more appropriate.

Fred Lamb wondered how much it will cost for people to use any new facility. "The numbers suggest there is going to be a very significant increase in user fees. It may not be affordable to families who want to use it."

Unlike the existing facility, the proposed centre would feature a five-lane, 25-metre pool capable of hosting swim meets. It would also have a squash/racquetball court, a waterslide, a steam room/sauna and an expanded fitness centre. The new facility would be attached to the B.G. Sivertz Sports Centre.

The cost is estimated at $4.6 million. A five per cent contingency raises the figure to $5.1 million.

Town council has already set aside $1 million for the project.

Based on a $4 million debenture amortized over 25 years, a household with a current tax assessment of $1,952 per year would see an annual tax increase of $115.74 for construction of the facility. That ratepayer would also pay $25.30 per year extra to operate the facility.

Both Greg Rowe and Deputy Mayor Dean McMeekin warned it was possible the existing 35-year-old pool could close soon, noting it has already passed its anticipated 30-year lifespan.

The current council does not want to put more money into the existing pool, Rowe said.

McMeekin said the choices were to go ahead with the new facility or have no pool for the community. "That facility is done," he said of the existing pool.

If ratepayers approve borrowing for the project, construction would start in May 2004 and be completed in June 2005.