Paradise councillors warn new pool could mean higher taxes

By Mark Squibb

As Paradise readies itself to undertake a swimming pool feasibility study, which was already budgeted, some councillors are warning that construction and annual operation costs could force the Town to raise taxes.
Councillor Patrick Martin, during last week’s public committee meeting, shared with his fellow councillors that the call for expression of interests had closed and the Town had received five submissions. Of the five, staff recommended council award the contract to Stantec at a cost of $65,120, plus HST.
The consultant will deliver a feasibility study that will include site analysis, public engagement, recommendations based on current and future needs, best practises and trends in programming, preliminary costs estimate in a multi-year phased approach, construction costs, projected annual operating and maintenance costs, and projected revenues.
“I think we’re taking the right approach here,” said Martin. “Everybody wants to see a pool, or thinks we need a pool, so we’re doing our homework here.”
Martin added staff expect the feasibility study will be presented to council in September or October.
“I’m glad this is before us here tonight,” said councillor Tommy Maher. “Residents have spoken out, and they want a pool, and this will give council and staff the opportunity to see if it’s feasible or not.”
Councillor Deborah Quilty said she is looking forward to the completion of the study but was disappointed to hear it would not be presented to council until the fall.
“I thought, probably, if we had it a little bit sooner there could be some consideration in the budget process coming up in the fall, but it is what it is, and I guess we’ll deal with the results when they come in,” said Quilty, adding she can remember the Town undertaking a similar feasibility study years ago.
Councillor Glen Carew then steered the conversation towards the topic of finances.
“We know that a pool is a very, very costly venture for any municipality, including the Town of Paradise,” said Carew, who added that while many people, especially families with young children, are fully supportive of the idea of a swimming pool, some residents may not be so keen to pay for it.
“There are plenty of residents who feel that a pool might be too costly for a town of our size,” said Carew. “With the large amount of monies involved, without significant funding sources, it’s a financial burden that all residents in the town must bear. Those on fixed incomes, pensioners and seniors, they find it difficult as it is now.”
Martin concurred with Carew, citing a public consultation the Town completed a number of years ago.
“The numbers came back pretty clear back then that not everybody was in favour of the pool,” said Martin. “Your taxes are going to go up if we get a pool. That’s one thing for sure. And just to be clear to the general public, that this is not a commitment from council at this point in time to do a pool. This is a feasibility study to come up with the numbers and see what would happen if we took that venture.”
Mayor Dan Bobbett pointed out that costs have increased since the pandemic, and the Town would need to secure funding from other levels of government before moving ahead with construction.
Deputy Mayor Kimberley Street said the residents she has spoken with over the years have “mixed feelings’ about a pool.
“While many support the need for a swimming pool, others are concerned, like everyone has said here, about the increase in taxation due to owning a pool,” said Street. “Maintenance and operational costs are top of mind too.”
As council generally don’t vote on motions at committee meetings, it agreed to move the item to the public agenda to be voted upon at a future date.