WEYBURN - Weyburn city council approved a proposal by an Alberta consulting firm to conduct a feasibility study on what the next steps should be for the city’s indoor pool.
Three firms submitted proposals, and in the end administration went with the highest-priced firm, RC Strategies of Sherwood Park, Alta., at a cost of $49,868, within the budgeted amount of $50,000.
The study is to look into whether the city should remodel, repair or replace the indoor pool, and the comprehensive plan is to look at studies, stakeholder engagement and recommendations to council on how to move forward.
Asked if the city will get their money’s worth from the highest-priced firm, Andrew Crowe, director of Leisure Services, said, “RC specializes in community engagement and rec facilities. Their proposal will include reaching out to community stakeholders and work sessions with staff, to find out what works and what doesn’t. They focus on nailing down the needs of the community. We should get what we’re looking for.”
“We’ve got a lot of pressure on us here,” said Coun. Todd Bedore. “Is there any way to speed things up?”
“These planning pieces are so important, I don’t think we can gloss over that,” said Crowe. While they might look for ways to move the process on, he added, “I would hate to push it along too quickly. … I’d be cautious with that.”
Part of the plan will be to provide “D-class estimates” of costs, and Crowe explained this would be very high level cost estimates within 30 per cent of actual costs.
“It’s the same process we followed with the Spark Centre,” he added.
Mayor Jeff Richards commented, “This is tough, I would echo what Coun. Bedore said that we would like to get the ball rolling. But when we’re making a 20-30-year decision here, we need to get all of the feedback we can.”
Crowe said as this firm was approved, he would be on the phone with them the next morning to get the process started. The final documentation and presentation of the plans is due to city council by July 2025.
The indoor pool has been closed since last fall, when the city discovered a catastrophic failure in the pool basin when they tried to fill it for the indoor swimming season.
This year only the outdoor pool will be open as weather conditions permit, and Crowe noted they will try to have the pool open earlier if possible, by May 16 if they are able, to extend the time will be able to be available.
• In related council business, council approved a streamlined season pass for use of the outdoor pool this summer.
Council was told that in investigating the rate options for the Leisure Centre, the rate structure was found to be overly complex for a seasonal facility.
The new season passes will allow regular facility users to have a flat, upfront fee that allows unlimited access to the Leisure Centre over the summer.
The new fees will allow cost savings for frequent users compared to those using punch passes or daily admission.
These new family season passes will be available with savings if they are bought before June 1.
Meantime, a full review of rates and fees will be done as part of a three-year rate review, to be completed by this spring, and these new rates will be implemented as of Sept. 1.
