Indoor pool proposed for South Okanagan

OSOYOOS — The region’s three local municipal governments and the Osoyoos Indian Band are pooling resources to explore the potential of adding an indoor aquatic facility to the South Okanagan community.

The Towns of Oliver and Osoyoos have long discussed the idea of building an indoor aquatic centre that would serve both communities; now the Osoyoos Indian Band and the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen are also engaged in the conversation.

All four governments have provided letters of support for the project and are excited about working together on a project of this nature that would see improved services for all the communities.

“I find it incredibly exciting to look toward a project in harmony with four municipalities coming together to enhance amenities for their constituents,” said Osoyoos Coun. Mike Campol, who along with his Town of Oliver counterpart Petra Veintimilla, was instrumental in pushing the project forward.

“If this project comes to fruition, I believe that the province could hold it up as a model of what could happen when small rural communities come together to build for their current and future residents.”

The Town of Oliver, on behalf of the four government entities, has applied for a $100,000 provincial rural dividend fund grant to enable a feasibility study that would detail potential services, capital and operating costs, site assessment, facility layout and design and also develop a cost sharing, governance and operating model.

The feasibility study process will include extensive community consultation.

“An indoor public pool continues to be a high priority for many local Osoyoos residents,” said Osoyoos Mayor Sue McKortoff. “Our Community Services review showed that this issue is top of the list for families.

“But since the cost of a pool and the ongoing cost for operating a pool is steep and could be difficult to manage for any single municipality, I am pleased that our local governments are looking to cooperate on a feasibility study.”

Oliver Mayor Ron Hovanes added, “The conversation is very early but I am excited that we are able to have this discussion. It is great to see our local governments looking into opportunities that would in the end benefit the entire region.”

Historically, an indoor pool facility was considered too big a project for one local government acting alone to handle. However, says Mark Pendergraft, Area “A” director for the RDOS, including all four partners brings the project closer to reality.

“I am excited about the potential pool as a partnership,” he said. “Between communities is the only way to keep the cost to a potentially reasonable level, and will result in a higher-quality facility that has higher use.”

In the next few months, the government partners will work towards establishing a steering committee that would include representatives from member councils and staff to administer the grant and move the project forward.

The feasibility study is the first step in what is expected to be a lengthy process. The steering committee will work to maintain positive energy among the partners and report progress to the member constituencies.

“Working together for the good of all residents in the south Okanagan is a very positive forward-thinking initiative,” McKortoff said.