By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: Nov. 17, 2012
It takes almost $1 million to run the swimming pool at the Brennan Park Recreation Centre, documents obtained by the Squamish Reporter reveal.
Operating the swimming pool cost the tax payers $879,450 last year.
Now, there is a new cost to upgrade it: $1 million.
Salaries for admin and maintenance staff make up a big chunk of the budget, although a pool shutdown last year cost $36,380.
The revenues nowhere match the expenses.
The revenues from the swimming pool were merely $328,557.
Squamish Lillooet Regional District has historically funded capital improvements at the pool.
To upgrade the pool, SLRD is giving $1 million dollar, money that would be used to install boilers and a HVAC system.
The bourgeoning gap between the expenses and revenues, and the new debt worries SLRD Area D representative, Maurice Freitag.
Freitag voted in favour of the borrowing, but said the community and its elected representatives should take a hard look at the subsidy.
“It’s not the obligation of the government to provide a swimming pool,” Freitag said.
“I want them to charge more for individual users.”
The rookie politician said he would like to see the user fees increased to truly represent the actual cost of the pool.
Freitag said the pool could be subsidised for children under the age of 12 so they could learn swimming.
Anyone over that should be paying higher rates, or using the lakes and natural amenities Squamish is gifted with.
“There are times when it’s almost empty, and I think it’s a waste of money to subsidise it so heavily,” he said.
Borrowing money for soccer or swimming pools might be a populist decision, but it’s the tax payers who eventually pay for it, he added.
He said local government should actively seek private partnerships and sponsorships for the pool.
“Make it a Canadian Tire pool, I’m happy with that as long as it makes sense to run it financially,” he said.
Coun. Patricia Heintzman said subsidising the pool is necessary to ensure all economic groups have equal access to a community amenity.
“If fees are increased significantly, you will likely see a similar reduction in usage,” she said.
Heintzman would rather see the district double the usage than increase fees dramatically.
“I do believe local government should subsidize the rec centre just as it does the library, police, fire protection,” she said.
District is currently looking at the fee structure to see if the fee needs to increase keeping with inflation.
TCee says
Does Freitag equally worry about the huge costs of all the soccer/baseball fields which are empty 90% of the time, in part due to poor scheduling. Are the costs for those recovered from players even to the same degree as the pool’s swimmers? What about the equally huge costs that have gone out for all types of trails, asphalt, dirt or gravel? Are those costs covered by the users, bikers, hikers, walkers, strollers? What about the recent costs for the “upgrading” of parks, and the cutting down of shade trees in those parks? Are those costs recovered from users, whether adults, kids and tots, or teens and seniors? The pool has been under-serviced for the last 16 years – it is about time it was even minimally upgraded, which these latest initatives constitute. And it would appear that such “improvements’ do not cover earthquake-proffing. As with the Arena, the Pool has been a much neglected facility and has survived in large part due to the dedication of certain senior lifeguards and reception personnel, and its loyal clientele. Its programming has been distinctly unimaginative, but what programs that do exist are well used and appreciated by seniors, women, children, parents and kiddies. However, in terms of expenses, is it really necessary to employ 8 programmers? It would seem that, for the amount of programming that occurs, the number of programmers could presumably be reduced to 2 or 3, a major saving. Moreover, what Freitag does not include in his back-of-the-envelope assessment is that those who use the pool regularly are keeping healthy and well , which in turn means that they, by using the pool facilities, are helping to reduce healthcare or sickness care costs throughout the Corridor. Now that is a major saving, and incalculable! Besides any community worth its salt is prepared to provide, through its taxes, a library, often an art gallery, recreational facilities , and sporting venues, including a pool. He has made some ill-thought out remarks that people can use the lakes or rivers if they want to swim. Has he tried swimming in those other than in the heat of summer? Has he considered the safety hazards of currents and rapids, and rocks? Has he thought about the safety of toddlers, weak adult swimmers, and even waders going into waters where no lifeguards exist? Has he thought about the health hazards that exist for swimmers and non-swimmers alike in waters that often are contaminated in one way or another? Obviously not, or he wouldn’t have made such ill-considered remarks. It’s mentioned that perhaps fees could go up at the rate of inflation. That’s a possibility, but not before all the above issues are addressed and the public is consulted. I find it ironic that the same idea – keeping an increase to the rate of inflation – was adopted by our illustrious councillors when it came to increasing their salaries – by 30% – without public debate, immediately after their election. But Freitag seems to have no quibble about that!
Andrew says
In my experience the pool is always busy and is used by all walks of life – from elderly folks wanting to have a good hot tub to relax to athletes soothing joints and doing laps to huge amounts of families coming with their kids – one of the only physical activities to do in the evening hours when it’s too dark rainy and cold to be outside. It’s a place where families can bond with their kids and neighbors. I see it as a very big part of the community itself and I vote subsidy for quality of life and supporting the Squamish lifestyle.
Trevor Mils says
If people had good jobs in town and did not have to travel the highway or work two jobs at $10 per hour to survive here then they might have more time to enjoy resources like the pool. It costs a lot to live here and there is often no time to do extras after you have made your money to survive.
Brad Hodge says
Another way to achieve income for the pool might be to expand beyond its scope as a public amenity and maybe do something like Richmond’s Watermania (wave pool, waterslide, etc). Something that could draw dollars from not only the community but beyond it. I’m sure we could snag a few Whistler visitors who, after a day on the slopes might appreciate taking themselves or the kids to Squamish for some fun and Squamish Splash! or something similar. Visitors are the ultimate subsidy.
Jason Cyr says
Thats a great point Brad. In fact in the past I have stopped and stayed the night in Revelstoke simply because the hotel stay came with a pass to the wonderful pool and water-slide facility they have in their town. I could have stopped in Golden, or pushed on to Salmon Arm. The pool was quite simply the little added benefit that caused my family and I to stop there and we ended up staying in the hotel, eating at a restaurant for dinner, seeing a movie at the theatre, visiting the farmer’s market the next morning, dining at a restaurant for breakfast. Thats a decent injection of money thanks to the pool!
Hugh Kerr says
Can anyone explain why the pool is closing for 2 months during the cold wet winter, instead of when the sun is out and nearby lakes are swimable ? Surely installation of new equipment could be delayed ? Or don’t District employees use the pool ?
TCee says
Lovely idea, but do you know how costly it is to revamp a pool site into a wave pool, waterslide, etc? Would the income be more than the costs? Would you do away with the present pool to accommodate waves and slides? As it is Whistler already has a very usable and enjoyable pool for its locals, and visitors. Visitors are only “the ulitmate subsidy” IF the costs of luring them in are exceeded by the revenue they bring in, which is not always the case.
Jim Harvey says
A point of clarification in response to TCee’s comments above. Other than a few trails in the urban areas and the Corridor Trail (largely funded by MOTH ) the VAST majority of our trail network has been built and is maintained by volunteers. If one roughly estimates the construction cost of generic trail at $10,000/km multiplied by minimally the 200 kms of trail surrounding our community and one has a volunteer contribution valued at approx. $2,000,000.00. And this does not include the thousands of hours of volunteer trail maintenance that occurs each year. There is no community recreation infrastructure that comes even remotely close to trails when it comes to user contribution.
Scott McQuade says
Great comments here by most everyone ! I must say most times I agree with Freitag. However, on this occasion not so much. Sometimes, we have to choose certain things that are worth subsidising, I think most people would say the pool is one of those things. Without speaking with him directly about this, I’m hoping the core of his message is about looking long and hard at WHY the pool costs as much as it does. I think we can look at his quote:
“Freitag voted in favour of the borrowing, but said the community and its elected representatives should take a hard look at the subsidy.” I hope this is the mindset he is focused on.
I like Maurice, he genuinely wants to represent the people who elected him; and if those people use the pool and think it’s worth it , I know he’d support it. However, because he’s a pragmatist, I’m sure he just wants to make sure we can always afford it.
heather gee says
Instead of reinventing the wheel, I believe Freitag would gain a lot of knowledge and guidance by contacting other towns who have similar facilities. Also agree with Hugh Kerr’s logical recommendation. During winter people need more indoor recreation and activity.
moe says
Haven’t been to this thread in a while. Thanks for all your comments.
Scott you hit the nail on the head. The pool must be subsidized to some degree, however an internal review is definitely required. Short term planning left us in a lurch. As we witnessed the pool closure occurs at the optimal revenue time in the operation. How many managers and co ordinators are required at a facility such as this. What do other communities do?
Some partner with local hotels who’s pool and water recreation facilities are under utilized . Giving access to the public for public facility rates.
Should we be subsidizing swim programs outside of basic swim lessons beyond the legal age of 18, if yes we can expect every sport and recreation organization to expect the same subsidy.
Should the pool maintenance not occur during the slower summer months?
Should residence of Furry Creek be paying for 2 pools , one in Furry Creek Oliver’s landing and one in squamish as The DOS has become accustomed to. Absolutely not.
Should borrowing requests be made last minute with incomplete information from one partner? With the looming words of “closure” if we do not get the request in on time?
I respect all opinions but when we get down to the crunch of million dollar financing on incomplete information provided from one source, as an elected official I have to question the need, reason and rational behind the rushed decision.
For a facility that is as old as this aquatic centre , why did the leaders past and senior staff not do a better job of financial planning?