‘Our focus is seniors’

“Their building is aging also and a combined pool would have a significant cost,” Soltis said. “It would also run differently as their model includes increased revenues. It would concern the city to have a building that competes with other private facilities.”

As for taxes, a property assessed at $300,000 would pay an increase of $59.13 annually based on a 20 year loan and an interest rate of three per cent.

According to Wournell, operating costs of a new pool would stay in line with current costs although with modern features, costs are likely to go down.

The Four Seasons Pool received more than 120,000 visits in 2016 and provides nearly 80 per cent of the swimming lessons delivered in Prince George.

“The assessment guided us on what was needed immediately and what is needed in the future as the population continues to grow,” Wournell said.

The proposed pool features include: an improved design which anyone can access regardless of age, ability or needs, a shallow and warm pool for toddlers, a leisure pool with beach entry and slide, a main pool, 25 metres in length and six lanes wide, spacious change rooms, a hot tub, sauna and steam room and a space for gatherings and instruction.

“And our focus is seniors,” Wournell says.

“There will be seniors fitness with warmer water temperatures but it’s also about making it a social place, a comfy place to sit and talk. Socializing is just as important as exercizing. The new facility will be inviting and not cramped. It will be a social hub, a living room for the community.”

If the referendum passes on Oct. 28, design will begin in 2018 and the construction phase along with demolition of the old building will take about two years to complete according to the city.

There will be seniors fitness with warmer water temperatures but it’s also about making it a social place, a comfy place to sit and talk. — Doug Wournell