The municipal election is over and congratulations to all the winners and my deepest thanks to all the candidates who put their lives out there for all to share. Thank You.
There were many interesting tidbits of information that flowed through debate like the discouragement of single passenger vehicles downtown and that we have a pool for every 29,000 residents while other cities only have a pool for as high as 90,000 residents.
It has been brought forward that Red Deer wants a 50-metre pool at a cost of $90 million. Estimated cost overrun of $36 million for a total of $126 million financed at three per cent for 30 years. Pools run on a deficit so our capital costs and operating costs could see the city paying perhaps $500,000 a month for 30 years, not including refurbishing every decade or so.
It is not part of the winter games bid, and the public is not clamouring for it, so what is the rush? We should determine the fate of the Michener pool, and find out from the public what facilities they actually want and where they want it.
One man suggested they should slow down spending on tomorrow and concentrate a bit more on today.
I tend to agree.
Garfield Marks
Red Deer