Hay River (July 26/04) - A proposed aquatic centre for Hay River has been tossed a financial lifeline.

On July 19, town council voted to borrow $500,000 from the municipality's capital reserve to save the project and start construction this year.

The money will help overcome the pool's $1.5-million funding shortfall. The project was originally estimated at $5 million, but drew a low tender bid of $6.2 million.

The vote was 5-2 in favour of the arrangement.

Even though he voted in favour, Coun. Tom Hamilton expressed concern with taking the money out of the reserve.

"I hope we don't end up with a black hole," Hamilton said, adding council is probably too far into the project to back out now.

While voting in favour, Coun. Robert Bouchard also said he was concerned, but added, "the project is not going to get any cheaper."

Bouchard said he would be more concerned if the town was not growing.

Assistant Deputy Mayor Vern Tordoff, who opposed the idea along with Coun. Vince McKay, said he was "baffled" by the financial arrangements.

Idea nixed

The extra $500,000 became necessary when the territorial government recently nixed an idea for funding from K'atlodeeche First Nation.

A squash/racketball court and a fitness area, planned as part of the overall project, will now be considered for the 2005 budget.