A detailed report looking at whether Moncton needs another aquatic centre and where to put it was presented to city council this week.
Surveys were filled out by 1,800 residents and public consultations were held earlier this year.
Jon Hack of Sierra Planning and Management said when looking at indoor options, residents are looking for a Class A multi-tank pool
“What that means is those who want to go in and do lane swims. The competitive teams want slightly cooler temperatures and the ability to get in there. Everybody wants a 50-metre pool, but you’re not building a 50-metre pool, in terms of what we would recommend, but a lane pool is important,” said Hack.
“A second tank would be a leisure pool, that would be for general use for instructional swim classes, programming, and an accessible facility, with play elements allowing for training and competition, and multipurpose functional program space. We would add consideration of how you can turn this into some level of sports tourism. Do you go from eight lanes to 10 lanes? Riverview has gone from eight to 10 lanes. It might seem like a small change, but it really isn’t.”
The report also recommended looking at not just meeting community needs, but hosting down the road as well.
As for location, Hack alluded to there being some consistencies with those surveyed.
“It certainly is evident based on just some of the statistical information on where development is happening. As well as some of the consultation that the northwest is an area that is certainly in need of recreation infrastructure that gels with the rec master plans and projections,” said Hack.
“But I will offer that at an indoor pool scale. These facilities are city-serving. So at the end of the day, you’ve got to find the right site that’s going to work balancing all of these factors.”
Several sites were looked at including CEPS at l’Université de Moncton, because they are looking at a pool upgrade in the future, as well as the Superior Propane Centre and Moncton Coliseum.
“I think if you are going to spend the millions that would be required to put an indoor facility into place, I think getting the absolute right location is where it should be headed,” Hack adds.
The report also looked at outdoor aquatics. It indicated that a new pool will be needed in the Hub City within the next 10 years.
All but one Moncton councillor approved the recommendation to use the information to direct the administration to conduct further study. Councillor Paul Richard voted against it.
“We will essentially be doing that, and putting some plans in our capital budget and the five-year plan to look at further feasibility design and ultimately funding for these facilities,” says Jocelyn Cohoon, general manager of Community Services.
