Red Deer city council spent hours discussing proposed details of a new aquatic centre behind closed doors on Tuesday.
Mayor Tara Veer said this kind of in camera meeting is allowed under the Alberta Municipal Affairs Act to discuss land, legal and labour matters.
Related: Aquatic centre remains outside city’s 10-year capital plan
Previously, City manager Allan Seabrooke had stated the project’s anticipated cost and potential land options are expected to go to city council for approval before the end of the year.
However, on Tuesday, Veer said the recommended design, location and cost of the aquatic centre won’t be released for public feedback until next spring or summer.
The expensive project is not in the city’s 10-year capital plan. But Seabrooke maintained that city staffers will be keeping an eye out for whatever grant opportunities are available, so that a future council can discuss these opportunities as they arise.
“The aquatics centre is still on our radar,” he stressed. Having a ready design and designated land for the project will ensure the city can move on a new aquatics centre once government money is secured, Seabrooke had added.
City staff have already been in touch with the Central Alberta Aquatics Committee to get members’ feedback on a new pool design.