It may be a while longer before we see a new pool in Fort Saskatchewan.
The city’s 2024 budget has $5 million for detailed planning and design of a new pool at the Dow Centennial Centre, but city council decided not to spend any money without consulting the public.
Council has given the city’s administration three months to complete a report on ways to consult the public on building this new pool.
Three members of city council, including Mayor Gale Katchur, objected to delaying the project. Katchur noted a 2017 public vote which voted against bringing in a $35 million new pool.
According to the vote, most voted against it as they had no idea what the finished pool would look like.
Currently the proposal has no detailed depictions of the pool and only has a cost estimation. In total, the new pool could cost local taxpayers up to $250 million, according to councilor Brian Kelly.
Fort Saskatchewan currently has one indoor public pool, Harbour Pool, which is located on 94 Avenue.
