Port Hardy residents waded into the pool debate Feb. 2 as the district held an come-and-go open house to
discuss what should be done with the aging complex.The pool is over 40 years old. The normal life expectancy
is 30 to 40 years old, and it has been 25 years since it has had a major renovation and retrofit.The district is
looking at three options.The first is to repair the existing facility which would increase the lifespan of the pool by
up to 15 years. This option, which has an estimated $3.159 million price tag, would include tile repair, heating
and ventilation upgrades, dehumidifier replacement and seismic upgrades. Further upgrades would be carried
out over the next nine years.The second option is to repair and expand the facility at an estimated cost of
$8.016 million ($3,159 million for repairs and $2.329 million). This would also increase the life expectancy of
the pool 15 years.The third option is a completely new recreation facility. The estimated cost of this option,
which would have a 30 to 40 year lifespan, is $10.514 million."If the majority of the public appear to want a new
facility the District will engage an architect and project manager to give more conceptual ideas," said Chief
Administrative Officer Allison.The purpose of last Tuesday's meeting, said Director of Corporate Services
Heather Nelson-Smith, was to let the public know what the status of the facility is and what the options
are.There was also a "dream board" where people could write down what they would like to see in a new
recreation centre.Some of the sticky notes attached to the board suggested a never-ending lap pool, a birthday
party room, squash courts, change rooms, a gym, a marine and sea life display in tanks, and a children's water
park.The dream board has now been placed in the lobby of the recreation centre so people can continue to add
to it, Nelson-Smith said.In addition to the open house, the district has been busy collecting surveys which have
been available on line and in a paper format. As of Feb. 2, the district had received 490 completed surveys on
line and another 150 paper ones, said Heather Nelson-Smith."That's more than 10 per cent of the population of
Port Hardy," she said.The district will continue to collect surveys until Feb. 19, said McCarrick.The survey and
initial open house results will be compiled and it is anticipated they will be made public by March 31, McCarrick
said.Stakeholders will then be invited to a meeting to give their input. These include representatives from the
local business community, Regional District of Mount waddington, First Nations, School District #85, etc.