Fredericton, UNB float idea for $32M pool, but there's a murky road ahead

Fredericton's quest for a new swimming pool seems one step closer to reality after the city announced last week it had a deal with the University of New Brunswick worth $6 million to put toward a $32-million vision.

The rest of the money would have to come surrounding communities and other levels of government.

Though few details are known, the city's announcement was enough to renew hope in a vocal swimming community that's been looking for a long-term plan to replace the Sir Max Aitken Pool, which is to close in September 2021. 

"The city stepped up in a leadership position and put $6 million on the table to get a new pool in this region — that's fantastic," said Chris Ramsey, president of the Capital Region Aquatics Facility Team.

But without a design plan and not a lot of details, Ramsey said he's "cautiously optimistic." There's a lot of work to do, including persuading neighbouring communities to support a regional aquatic centre, he said.

The city plan would see a 25-metre pool with eight to 10 lanes built next to the Grant-Harvey Centre on the city's south side.

The city is looking for $6 million from nearby communities, local service districts and fundraising from the community.

Chris Ramsey doesn't think fundraising will be an issue and said there's an eager group of people ready to start campaigning.

Hoping to avoid charging extra

But getting surrounding areas to buy into the plan could be tricky, he said.

Fredericton had problems with this when the Grant-Harvey Centre and Willie O'Ree Place were built.

Not all communities wanted to be part of the centres, so extra user fees are charged to people from those areas.

Ramsey said he doesn't want that to happen with the new pool.

"What we all want is to have the regions be on board with the facility from day one, and not have a situation where certain kids, certain swimmers have to pay more than others," he said.

Ramsey said that he doesn't know how to make that happen just yet.

A bridge for communities

The regional service commission could help facilitate the conversation among the surrounding communities. Part of its mandate is to help with regional planning and cost-sharing for sport and recreation.

Don Fitzgerald. the commission's executive director, said he hasn't been contacted about the new project.

"Every month the community leaders get together at the commission's regular meeting, so that's a perfect opportunity to allocate some time and have a discussion about how important it is to individual communities and how they would like to proceed," he said.

Fitzgerald said the commission can also help build a case and lobby the federal government for money, which could be a crucial role.

The Progressive Conservative government in Fredericton has clamped down on spending and has already cancelled some big projects such as the new courthouse in Fredericton.

Local Government Minister Jeff Carr said he's encouraged to see the City of Fredericton take a regional approach to the project and believes the public has made its case for a new pool. The next step is to see more details before government can decide if and what it can contribute.

Sees need for pool

"I think it's fair to say that the province will be at the table and myself personally — I've advocated to have all partners at the table," Carr said.

"It's a need in the capital region, we've acknowledged that, and we see that, and I think where there's a will, there is a way."

Fredericton MP Matt DeCourcey said in a statement that he won't commit to supporting the project at this stage but would like to see more details and timelines.

There are no details yet on who will own the pool and be responsible for operating the facility.