The municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc, just west of London, Ont., is getting a new public swimming pool; however, the idea of an indoor aquatic facility is no longer in the picture.According to a report in The London Free Press, council was seeking proposals and quotes for an outdoor pool design, which will likely include accessibility features such as wheel-in entry and a ‘lazy river,’ said Mayor Joanne Vanderheyden.
The original plan, however, which was approved last January, would have seen a 25-lane indoor aquatic centre built for the community of 20,000 people, which is one of the largest in the area without an indoor pool.
As part of the original plan, council accepted a provincial promise of $4 million, which would help fund the project; however, it was later realized most of the municipality’s reserve funds had already been spent or allocated elsewhere. Therefore, replacing the existing 50-year-old Lions outdoor pool was better for the budget.
“Cancelling the indoor pool was disappointing, but this decision is a good thing,” Vanderheyden told The London Free Press. “People understand fiscal responsibility. At this point, this is what we need to do.”
With the decision to build an outdoor pool finalized, council will decide where it will locate the new pool. One option is downtown near the existing pool, which has undergone extensive repair jobs for a number of years, or beside the West Middlesex recreation centre. The latter option, however, would require storm sewer upgrades to the tune of $700,000.
According to city council, the provincial grant for an aquatic centre is available to them whether an indoor or outdoor pool is constructed; however, the project will have to be completed by March 2014 to qualify for the funding.
