Timmins is moving one step forward towards building its first new recreational facility in many decades.
On Monday night at city hall, Mayor Steve Black stepped out of the mayoral chair to give council a presentation and update on the proposed aquatic and recreation complex in Timmins.
Current Deputy Mayor and Ward 5 Councillor Rick Dubeau normally would take the seat, but he opted to defer, as he wanted to speak on the matter as well. Councillor Andre Grzela moved into the seat and ran the proceedings.
What followed was 79 minutes of debate and discussion.
Black updated council on what has been accomplished thus far, and what needs to be done before applying for government grant money.
The resolution laid out was to direct staff to proceed in issuing an RFP (Request for Proposal) for the design of the aquatic centre recreation facility. The project is contingent upon receiving provincial and community support.
The new facility would replace the aging and out-of-code Archie Dillon Sportsplex pool.
Environmental assessments have been approved, and are underway at two potential sites; the Archie Dillon area, as well as a vacant field on Highway 655 across from Gillies Lake.
Black also wanted council to consider including potential enhancements to the facility within the RFP.
Included are:
- An 8 lane, 25 metre competitive pool
- Diving Platforms, which could potentially host competitive events
- Improved spectator seating, current facility has essentially none
Advanced Leisure Options
- Leisure pool
- Leisure pool play structures
- Lazy river
- Hot tubs
Additional Facility Uses
- Saunas
- Indoor Tennis Courts
- Indoor Squash Courts
- Indoor Pickle Ball Courts
"So essentially, each of these items would be identified as a separate cost item in the RFP. Then if the city decides its budget, wherever it may be, whether its at the $33 million dollar end of the project, or at the $40 million dollar end, can remove items from the RFP to stay within that budget," said Black.
According to the financial numbers within Black's presentation, the cost to municipal taxpayers would be approximately $140,000 per year.
Councillor Rick Dubeau said there wasn't a 'large appetite' for building a new pool among people he'd spoken with.
"Well over 90 percent of the people I've talked to just don't feel this is the right time to do it. It's a nice-to-have not a need-to-have," he said.
Dubeau expressed major concern with what he feels will be a large burden for the upcoming generation of taxpayers.
"Our debt load going forward is astronomical" and later said "Our future is definitely uncertain. I say we have to be very careful to not incur too much debt going forward. This is going to have to be paid for by future generations, we're going to pass this on to our kids. The next generation is going to be the first generation that is not going to earn as much money as the generation before them. So not only are we going to saddle them with a debt, we're giving them less ability to pay for that debt," he said.
Dubeau also called Black's funding formula 'optimistic at best'.
He saw concern with the plan to use OCIF(Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund) coming to Timmins, instead of putting that money towards work on the Connecting Link through the city.
Councillor Noella Rinaldo said she has concerns about keeping youth and young families in the city without any new facilities.
Mayor Steve Black provided a visual example of a competitive pool, along with diving platforms. "We have to make this leap going forward. I don't see this as a luxury, I do see this as a need. I cannot imagine a community of 42,000 people not having a pool, and I know that we're at that point where we will not have a pool in a few years," she said.
Rinaldo reminded everyone that this step does not obligate the city to build anything.
"I can clearly sit here and say if we get no private funding, we won't go ahead. I know we won't," she said.
"I know people that want this pool. And the few that don't, I know will go when its open. I'm very confident in going forward with this. I think this is a practical ask. We're basically saying 'we believe in this project' and let's see if anyone else will come forward with some money," said Rinaldo.
Councillor Mike Doody said he had no problem with the resolution, as it clearly gave council the authority to vote 'yay' or 'nay' on the various enhancements down the road.
"We have a right to expect that we want the same quality of life that other municipalities in this province have. Certainly by supporting the resolution as presented this evening, we're going down the road where we'll have an opportunity to take a look at what we want in the facility, and where we'll get the funding."
Councillors Bamford, Doody, Grzela, Marks, Rinaldo and Wawrzaszek voted in favour. Dubeau was the only opposed vote. Councillor Joe Campbell was not in attendance.
