Artist rendition of the new Carleton Place pool
On August 6th, the Town of Carleton Place held an open-house style event at the arena to gather public feedback on a new aquatic recreation facility that would house a regulation length lane-swim pool, a learn-to-swim pool and a large gymnasium. Residents were given coloured stickers to indicate their preferences for answers to questions regarding features and offerings laid out on several long tables.
Plenty of Town staff and most of council were present to answer any questions and to hear comments first-hand. The proposed location for the facility is on land south of Highway 7 on McEachen Blvd.
Diana Knight, the Town’s Director of Community Service said one demographic was well represented in the response.
While a sprung structure was widely discussed at council meetings as a solution, both Knight and Rankin stated the final form was not yet decided. A sprung structure consists of a heavy aluminum frame covered by a tough weather-proof membrane. Knight mentioned a steel-frame, sheet metal covered building as another option under consideration.
Ross Rankin, the Town’s Property and Project Manager, said the final decision will come after tenders are received from builders.
An online survey is now active on the Town’s website at carletonplace.ca and will remain open until August 17th. To date it has received 730 responses.
Story by Brian Turner
