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The proposed aquatic centre in Summerland is going to a referendum in just over two weeks and not everyone is in favour of the $50 million facility.

The District of Summerland has been going through a public engagement process about what the facility should include since 2018. Currently the proposed centre would include two pools, one for leisure swimming and one for athletic swimming, a hot tub, a fitness room and an activity room.

The new facility plans have been spurred by the state of the current pool, which has fallen into disrepair.

The proposal is the subject of controversy because while some residents feel it's a vital facility for the community, others say it's far too expensive and the money would be better spent elsewhere. If the district does not get a grant to cover part of the facility’s cost, taxpayers in Summerland could be paying up to $600 a year for the next 30 years.

“I don’t want to see Summerland without a pool but I also don’t want to have a $50 million debt,” concerned resident Jodi Pigot said.

Pigot says the facility is too big and should have amenities aside from the pool. A childcare centre and racket sports gymnasium were part of the proposal at one point but were ultimately taken out of the facility's plan.

“I’ve heard our sewer treatment plant is going to be needing repairs, our arena is getting to the point where it is going to need repairs, our roads are in terrible condition, and our water mains are ancient,” he said.

Jenny Kunka, president of Summerland’s Orca Swim Club, says having two separate pools is important for swimmers because athletic swimming is better in colder water and leisure swimming is better in warmer water. The new facility would make the temperature of the water more comfortable for everyone.

“Our biggest concern as a swim club is the water temperature, so it’s really hard for the kids when they are working out to be in the warmer water. And then it’s too cold for the babies and toddlers and seniors. Our biggest thing is to get the two pools,” Kunka said.

The district says the two pools were something the community requested through its engagement process.

"Having a leisure pool was considered important to provide a second body of water with warmer temperatures for rehabilitation programs and for young children, to provide a family friendly space with play features, to improve accessibility to the water," it said.

Kunka said the pool is used by people of all ages and is vital to keeping Summerland a “vibrant community."

“There are people coming and going from the minute it opens to the minute it closes,” she said.

Kunka says Summerland is following suit with other communities in the Okanagan who are replacing their aquatic centres which are around the same age as the one in Summerland.

Summerland has gone through several rounds of public engagement, from surveys to open house discussions.

“We also need to look at this project from a social perspective and have a broader discussion of what we – as a community – want recreation to look like in Summerland going forward. Personally, I see this as more than a referendum on a recreation centre – it’s a referendum on the future of our community and what kind of community we want to be,” Mayor Doug Holmes said.

If the referendum fails then the district will repair the current facility until it cannot be fixed any longer. 

"If the referendum vote results in a 'no' vote and we are not proceeding with a building a new facility, then staff and council would revisit the current condition of the building to consider options for major capital investments and any necessary tax increases and funding sources for those repairs," the District said.

Residents can vote in the referendum on Oct. 25, Oct. 31 and Nov. 4 at the Summerland Arena.

More information about how to vote is available on the District's website here and you can find out more about the project is available on the regional district’s website here.

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