By Laine Mitchell (Twitter: @Laine_Mitchell)

Town council splashes cash for new Drayton Valley pool

Apr 19, 2018 | 7:07 AM

The Town of Drayton Valley is one stroke closer to constructing a new pool, with town council voting to put millions towards the project. 

On Wednesday, the town put forward $5 million in funds towards a new pool. The Town has been allocating funds to a new aquatic facility reserve fund since 2015.

Councilors voted unanimously in favor of the investment, with Mayor Michael Doerksen casting the lone opposing vote.

Doerksen was skeptical of putting forward such a large amount of money from the town’s reserves, with other things such as water and sewer infrastructure needing work in the future as well.

Councilor Bill Ballas expressed that there is the need for a new pool, adding that the current pool is 33 years old and in the future will need more costly upgrades to bring it up to code.

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Councilor Fayrell Wheeler cautioned that this is just the first step in a long process, however getting the ball rolling now by committing the money now  is necessary in order to apply for provincial and federal grants to help pay for the new building.

An aquatic facility concept design report was presented to the town in 2012 which outlined a design and the capital requirements for a new building.  Another study was commissioned and received in 2017 to focus on the facility being innovative in its approach to operating costs and getting grants that focus on energy efficiency. 

Additionally, Town Council adopted the Recreation and Culture Master Plan in 2016 which supports the development of a new aquatic facility.

Brazeau County also set up a reserve that has $5 million going towards a new pool. 

The town has nearly $1.7 million in municipal reserves for the capital project with an additional $300,000 being committed by what is now Ridgeback Resources. 

A confirmed financial contribution will be included in the 2018 town’s capital budget plan, which will be released in the coming weeks.