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By Adam Berls

city council

Council passes bylaw to borrow over $22 million for aquatic centre improvements

Aug 19, 2024 | 10:06 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — City council discussed improvements towards the Aquatic Centre and passed a bylaw that authorizes the city to borrow over $22 million for the improvements.

On April 22, 2024, at a regular Council Budget meeting, Council approved additional capital works to the Prince George Aquatic Centre Mechanical and Building Update project. In order to complete the improvements, the city would need to approve a loan of $22,150,000, through the Loan Authorization Bylaw.

The improvements to the aquatic centre would be completed in four phases:

• Phase 1 – Replacement of the building envelope, glazing, roof system, exterior doors, entry columns, leisure pool tiles, acoustic baffles and DDC (Controls) system. Addition of a dehumidification system and new electrical transformer with electrical system upgrades.
• Phase 2 – Repairs to the structural steel/columns and dive tank sparger system. Replacement of main entry soffits, curtain wall and air handling units cooling coils. Addition of energy recovery on air handling units.
• Phase 3 – Replacement of health/life safety items including deck, lobby and visitor area tile, handrails, plumbing fixtures, fire alarm system and sprinkler heads.
• Phase 4 – Replacement of moveable bulkheads, change room tiles, overhead and underwater light fixtures and emergency system lighting, in addition to interior repainting, hydronic piping reconfiguration, increased access controls, accessibility improvements, and reconfigured reception desk.

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According to B.C. law, municipalities must obtain voter approval before taking on long-term loans for major capital projects. The city council has chosen to use the alternative approval process for the proposed borrowing, allowing residents to submit opposition forms started at the beginning of July and ended on August 9.

If 10% or more of registered voters oppose, the council must either abandon the plan or seek approval through a referendum. Out of 55,126 eligible electors, only 398 submitted opposition forms, less than 1% of the 10% needed.

Councillor Trudy Klassen stated that she was “not a fan” of the Alternate Approval Process and said that she didn’t like the timeline regarding the AAP.

Councillors Skakun and Klassen, and Mayor Yu voted against the bylaw to authorize the loan.

Councillors Ramsay, Scott, Sampson, Frizzell, Polillo and Bennett voted in favour.

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X: @AdamBerls

Email: Adam.Berls@pattisonmedia.com