NEWS RELEASE
CITY OF TIMMINS
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City clarifies aquatic centre cost estimates
With the recent budget approval announcement and social media discussions, Mayor Steven Black wishes to issue clarification on the facts of the aquatic centre feasibility.
Mayor and Council have voted to move forward with planning based on the project’s fit into municipal strategies for improved tourism, arts, culture and recreation in the community.
“Recreational and cultural amenities are important for communities such as ours when looking to retain our youth and seniors, and attract new residents and business investment,” said Mayor Black. “Having these types of recreational amenities is key to ensuring Timmins remains a highly desirable city to raise young families and enjoy quality of life.”
Recent reports indicate a new aquatics centre would cost the city $60 Million to build, which was the estimated cost if Council decided to build a two-pad arena, aquatic centre and community centre all at once.
However, approval was granted to complete an engineering design for the aquatics centre portion only, with an estimated construction price tag of $15 Million.
Therefore, the cost to finance the aquatic centre over 25 years would be approximately $900,000 per year.
The 2016 Budget, unanimously passed by Council, includes $750,000 for the engineering design study.
This is a one-time cost which Council could re-allocate in future budgets to go towards construction.
This means 83 percent of the required funds per year, over the next 25 years would already be included in the budget, and the city would only have to find minimal additional funds for the construction with no net impact versus the 2016 approved budget.
Additional funds required could come from the future infrastructure reserve, established in 2011, which currently sits at $3,466,200.
“The centre would offer many benefits to the community,” continued Mayor Black. “The current wish-list for the aquatics centre includes an eight-lane 25-meter pool with shallow beach entry, a leisure pool, more deck space to accommodate multiple programs at any one time, and modern amenities complete with family change rooms. Not only will this help us to maintain our position as the regional centre for north-eastern Ontario in aquatics, it will also provide a more accessible facility for members of our community to enjoy leisure activities and safe, low-impact exercise.”
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