Pool upgrades won’t be making a bigger splash for Lumby area taxpayers.
The White Valley Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee has shot down a staff recommendation to spend an extra $100,000 on renovations at the outdoor pool on Glencaird Street.
“We already have $500,000 to put in and we have to stay within budget,” said director Eugene Foisy.
The Regional District of North Okanagan received a $400,000 provincial grant for enhancements to the pool as well as new equipment at the curling club and arena. The total budget for the project is $524,525, with the remainder coming from taxpayers living in Lumby, rural Lumby and Cherryville.
However, RDNO staff recently indicated that an extra $100,000 is needed because a bid for pool retiling and rebuilding renovations came in higher than anticipated.
“The project will be retendered with some change in scope. However, it is anticipated the cost of the outdoor pool retiling will still come in higher than originally budgeted,” said Tannis Nelson, community development co-ordinator, in a written report.
The decision not to proceed with the $100,000 was unanimous among committee members.
“We have a budget established for the pool,” said director Rick Fairbairn.
Fairbairn says the committee is concerned about placing increased financial burden on taxpayers.
“We considered how the economy is fairing for residents and we don’t feel a huge increase at this time would benefit the community,” he said.
“In the community, there are also major concerns with other facilities and services like the Whitevalley Resource Centre and the health centre.”
