The City of Thompson, Man., received about 10 per cent of the expected cost of a new public pool, through a four-year gift agreement from mining company Vale Canada.
According to a news report from Thompson Citizen, the $2 million gift will be provided through equal instalments of $500,000 per year from 2022 through 2025.
The estimated cost of building a new pool is about $20 million. The city has been putting money into reserve which previously went toward operating the Norplex Pool, before it shut down permanently in February 2019.
According to the news report, Mayor Colleen Smook said a contribution of this size from Vale is helpful when approaching other potential funders, including provincial and federal government infrastructure programs, and Coun. Kathy Valentino concurred.
Gary Annett, head of Vale’s Manitoba Operations in Thompson, said in a press release the advantages of having a pool are numerous.
“A new pool provides many benefits for the physical, mental, emotional, and social health of the community and surrounding areas,” he said, “Vale is very happy to play a role in helping it become a reality and improving Thompson’s quality of life.”
