Submitted
A committee has been formed to look into the idea of developing a regional indoor aquatic centre located in the Town of Golden.
The existing outdoor pool is nearing the end of its life cycle and a significant number of residents have identified a desire for year-round swimming opportunities.
The goal of the committee’s work is to make recommendations regarding the current and future aquatic needs of the community and how these needs can be achieved over time.
The committee is made up of 11 members including seven voting members, as well as the Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) Electoral Area A director; an elected official from the Town of Golden; one staff member from the CSRD; and one staff member from the Town of Golden.
At the regular meeting on April 18, the CSRD Board approved the appointment of the seven community members. They are Brian Gustafson, Irene Gray, Kat Coatesworth, and Spencer Lainchbury from the Town of Golden, and Justin Telfor, Scott Weir, and Stefanie Chomiak from Electoral Area A.
The advisory committee will assist the CSRD by ensuring it receives thoughtful and comprehensive advice from a representative group of individuals from within Electoral Area A and the Town of Golden, who have knowledge and interest in the acquisition of information related to an indoor pool facility located in the Town of Golden that would service the region.
Its mandate is to act in an advisory capacity to CSRD staff and the Electoral Area A director.
The CSRD board of directors has not delegated any decision-making authority to the committee.
The CSRD, with the support of the Town of Golden, asked the communities of Golden and Electoral Area A to assess the feasibility of a new indoor aquatic centre in March of this year.
One of the key components of the study will be community consultation with the public, which will evaluate the existing facility and programs, identify future needs and consider potential options.
A draft version of a communication plan and consultation study has been developed. This would have to be approved by the committee before being officially adopted.
The goal of the project is to make recommendations regarding the current and future aquatic needs of the community and how these needs can be achieved over time.
