Even if the public votes against financing the project, there’s every chance another option will rise from its ashes.
The referendum to determine if the City of Victoria can borrow up to $168.9 million to build a $215-million facility to replace Crystal Pool will be held Feb. 8.
She said she’s heard the concerns raised by some residents and expects if the vote is a “no” it will be for a combination of reasons ranging from the pricetag and impact on property taxes to bad timing or issues with the design. The “no” campaign, on the other hand, said the plans belong in the recycling bin and the drawing board is exactly where the city should be heading.
“We have to start talking about the issues, like what the trade-offs are,” he said, noting the cost of the pool will translate into significant increases in property taxes and likely the loss or reduction of some programs and services when the city faces the need to balance budgets.The price tag for the Central Park North option, which would be built on the existing site of the pool, is estimated at $209.2 million, and would take five to six years to build.
The city estimates $76.5 million was added in costs for building. The other major cost increases were $33 million in soft costs like architectural and engineering fees and permits, $15.5 million for underground parking and $14 million as a result of building code and energy regulation changes. The project is too much for Victoria and needs to be scaled back to something less expensive, he said.
To be fair to the city, the costs of the project and impact on taxpayers has never been hidden and have been included in staff reports and presentations, media reports and will again be included in a city newsletter that residents will receive in the coming week. Thomas Soulliere, Victoria’s deputy city manager, said there are some major infrastructure programs available through the federal government and administered by the province.
“There’s all sorts of neighbourhood issues, citywide issues, and there’s all sorts of issues around the pros and cons of whether or not this should be a regional facility,” she said. “It’s a complicated matter. It’s a big-ticket item with a fairly hefty price tag, so I’m not really surprised when people are very passionate.
It will have a large fitness area, a half-size gymnasium and multi-purpose rooms for dance, wellness and art activities, a seniors’ room, space for child minding, family change rooms, and a community gathering space.The city says many of the existing facility’s systems and components are at or near end-of-life and require significant investment to maintain operations.
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