Princeton councillor Randy McLean wants money for the pool.
At a meeting Monday night McLean put forward a request to petition the province – again – for an answer to its $135,000 application for a grant to fund the proposed aquatic centre.
“I think it is vitally important and maybe [include] a reiteration of the taxes going out of here and maybe we can get some of those taxes coming back.”
McLean stressed his concern that large employers in town struggle with attracting talent because of a lack of amenities.
The questions he fields about the pool “are constant,” he said. “I know we’ve sent a number of letters. I’d like to make a request for another letter.”
Under new business, council unanimously voted to support a letter.
Related: Pool decision is now out of Princeton’s hands
However four days earlier, on the Princeton and Area Issues Facebook page, Councillor George Elliott indicated he is not in favor of the plan as submitted.
“Personally, I do not feel the community can afford such a massive (and expensive to operate) model but we do need a facility of some kind,” he stated.
Last month The Spotlight reported that despite numerous communications with the province, there’s been no hint if the municipality’s bid will be successful.
New Princeton council takes pool plunge
“We are eagerly awaiting the announcement,” said CAO Lyle Thomas. “We’ve had no announcement or no indication one way or another.”
Thomas said the town was promised a decision late in 2019, or early this year.
“I’ve reached out to the provincial government on numerous occasions…They assure me we will hear something early 2020.”
Thomas noted that no news is not necessarily bad news.
“We monitor awards from the province. They have not processed any awards or announcements for any other community in the province under this grant program,” he said. “We take that as a reason to be optimistic because they haven’t made an announcement for anybody, we are still in the running.”
The pool is proposed to be built on Bridge Street, on the former Overwaitea property that was gifted to the town for a community amenity.
It is to include a five-lane lap pool up to 6.8 feet deep, a leisure pool with tots area, overhead sprays and rehabilitation features, a lazy river, hot pool, upper level walking track, pickleball courts and exercise area, coffee bar, party and meeting rooms.
The total cost of the project is estimated at $27 million, with the municipality contributing $7 million taken from reserve accounts, corporate donations, fundraising, further grants, donations in kind and sponsorships.
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