Artist rendition of the new Carleton Place pool
Carleton Place council has approved the scope and funding plan for a new $25-million recreation facility and directed staff to move ahead with procurement. Diana Knight, the director of community services said investing in the existing pool wasn’t an option.
The approved concept includes a 10-lane, 25-metre pool, a learn-to-swim pool, double-gymnasium and an accessible elevated walking track, all built in a sprung structure. Sprung structures are comprised of heavy aluminum framing covered in a membrane. Staff were also instructed to limit work at the current Aquatic Centre to reactive maintenance only, with council approval required for repairs exceeding $10,000.
Council also endorsed a design-build procurement model, allowing a single team to handle both design and construction. The municipality says the approach should improve cost certainty, reduce project risks and help keep construction on schedule.
Staff were instructed to immediately work on provincial and federal grant applications to fund the project. Property manager for the Town, Ross Rankin, said without external funding, tax rate implications would be severe.
Both staff and several councillors reported that the current pool is the busiest recreation facility in Town. The proposed location is south of Hwy 7, just behind the Harveys/Swiss Chalet location.
Public consultation on the recreation facility’s concept design will take place before the project scope is finalized.
Story by Brian Turner
