Indoor Aquatic Centre Cited As Top Need

Gabi Haas of GDH Solutions presents findings of the 2018 draft Master Recreation Plan to Vernon council. (Pete McIntyre photo)

An indoor aquatic centre could be the next public recreation facility pursued in Greater Vernon.

That was the number one need according to public input on the draft master recreation plan given support by Vernon council today.

Vernon’s Director of Recreation Services, Doug Ross, says the price tag on such a project could range from 15 to 50 million dollars.

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“It would really depend on the kind of amenities you wanted. There’s so many different types of pools and amenities you could have. Whether it be 25 metre, 50 metre, you could have a 50 metre pool that has a moveable bulkhead, you could have a pool that has a leisure aspect to it, so the price tag really depends on what the community decides is best for the community,” Ross told Beach Radio News.

Ross says the feedback showed most people wanted a leisure pool, followed by a new 25 metre pool, and a 50 metre pool was “further down the list.”

Ross says Kin Race Track would be the best site for that facility.

“If it (legal dispute between local government and Okanagan Equestrian Society) gets resolved and we have access to that site, that would be the ideal location. Those are things that need to be discussed between parks and recreation to decide what kinds of things might go on there,” adds Ross.

Ross says if the final plan gets approval this fall, local politicians could decide on a feasibility study for a new pool.

The draft report makes 30 recommendations on how to improve recreational programs and services.

Ross says one idea is to offer more programs to Coldstream, and RDNO Areas B and C.

“It really depends on what the demand is, so if there is more of a demand created in one of those area, then we could put a fitness class out there, that sort of thing, so it’s based on demand.”

Other ideas include pursuing sponsorships to reduce the burden on user fees and taxes, to create an events coordinator position, and to develop a marketing plan.

To read the draft Master Recreation Plan, CLICK HERE (page 6)