GOLDEN GAME
SEVENTH HEAVEN
COMPLETE COVERAGE ONLINE NOW AT KAMLOOPSTHISWEEK.COM
KAMLOOPS THIS WEEK TUESDAY |
kamloopsthisweek.com kamloopsthisweek kamthisweek
30 CENTS AT NEWSSTANDS
APRIL 5, 2016 | Volume 29 No. 41
Mayor wants pools in Westsyde, Brock open ANDREA KLASSEN
STAFF REPORTER
andrea@kamloopsthisweek.com
Westsyde pool could re-open this fall if Kamloops city council goes along with a plan from Mayor Peter Milobar. The mayor is calling for the city to spend $3 million to replace the roof at Westsyde pool, and an estimated $500,000 to convert McDonald Park’s outdoor pool into a spray park. Brocklehurst’s outdoor pool would stay open, and the city would embark on a study to determine if it should build another sheet of ice and a new leisure pool on the North Shore. Council will debate Milobar’s recommendations today. The recommendations come on the heels of four public meetings on the city’s proposal to radically alter recreational facilities on the North Shore. Faced with costly repair bills for the Westsyde and McDonald Park pools, the city proposed shutting down all three North Shore pools
and replacing them with a gym (Westsyde), a spray park (McDonald Park), an ice sheet (Brocklehurst), and a new leisure pool on McArthur Island. Public reaction to the plan was largely negative, as Milobar noted in a report to council, with the public urging council to keep all three pools open and raising concerns about parking issues if a new pool were built on McArthur Island. Should council agree to the plan, Milobar said the city could put the McDonald Park and Westsyde projects out to tender “almost immediately.” “We need to get moving on those things,” he said. “McDonald Park needs to get started right away or it won’t be in use as a pool or a water park this year and Westsyde roof, same thing, they’ve been waiting quite some time.” Milobar said the city would aim to have the Westsyde pool, which has been closed since last summer, reopened in late fall. Milobar’s recommendation for
the pool doesn’t include an additional $2 million in upgrades which would be required to extend the life of the neighbourhood pool for another 50 years. According to city staff, the pool’s mechanical systems have up to five years of life left and Milobar suggested that time be used to attempt to increase visitor numbers at the pool to justify the expense. Milobar said it’s too early to say what kind of usage numbers council would need to see to justify upgrading the pool. “When we first created the Tournament Capital program, the Brock Arena in that business case was slated to go to a dry floor from ice. Instead, the ice users said, ‘Please, we need it, and council said, ‘OK, we’ll give it one more year and see what kind of usage rates it has.’ And, two years later, Brock was our year-round ice surface,” he said. “It can happen and user groups can step up and find more ways and creative ways to use the building.” Beyond those repairs, Milobar
is asking staff to look at alternative locations for a new ice sheet that would allow the Brock pool to remain open and other “central North Shore locations” for a new pool. The plan to keep most of the North Shore’s neighbourhood pools open is getting positive feedback from some community leaders. Steve Delaney, president of the Westsyde Community Development Association, said he is pleased Mayor Peter Milobar is recommending the city fix the roof at Westsyde pool and hold off on converting the space to a gymnasium. “A lot of people really just wanted the roof fixed,” Delaney said. “I think this will put the ball back in our court to prove the usage really is there.” Delaney believes the neighbourhood can increase numbers at the pool. “The community is growing out here,” he said. “We’ve got a lot more seniors now and they’re using the Aquafit.
LIMITED TIME OFFER!
“They really fought to have the roof replaced, so hopefully those numbers will go up. “And there’s a new development going in pretty much right in front of the pool on Westsyde Road.” Delaney said the association will promote the pool as a recreation option and will advocate for the pool to be repaired as soon as possible. North Shore Business Improvement Association general manager Steven Puhallo is hoping a conversion of the McDonald Park pool into a spray park will be completed in time for the organization’s annual Overlanders Day celebration in August. “I think having a wading pool and not just leaving a gaping hole in McDonald Park is great,” he said. “It’s a great attraction and people use it more and more every summer.” While Milobar has recommended the city look at other spots for a new North Shore leisure pool, Puhallo still likes the plan to use McArthur Island.
RECEIVE A TRIP TO VEGAS
FOR 2 WITH PURCHASE OF ANY NEW 2015 IN-STOCK OR PRE-OWNED VEHICLE! INCLUDES ROUND-TRIP AIRFARE AND 2 NIGHTS HOTEL STAY!
950 Notre Dame Drive • 1-855-231-3787 • smithgm.com
*Terms and conditions apply. See dealer for details.