Town suffers setback on new pool aspirations

One of the two Bonnyville pool options presented by a consulting firm, following a feasibility study completed in 2019. Image: RC Strategies + Perc.

The recent denial of a federal grant for the Town of Bonnyville’s aspirations to build a new aquatics centre lights a fire under council and administration to find solutions, Bonnyville’s Mayor says.

A response letter included in Tuesday’s regular council package says the Town will not receive funding from the Government of Canada’s Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program.

This was a hinge point for the Town in their plans of building a new pool, hoping federal dollars could be a part of the contribution, just like in Lac La Biche.

However, this means they are going back to the drawing board, says Mayor Elisa Brosseau.

“We’re not too sure what is going to happen, but we do know that we want to take a look at all possibilities,” said Mayor Elisa Brosseau on The Morning After. 

“We want to be creative. And we’re going to be aggressive in the next couple of months to try to figure this out and how we’re gonna go forward.

“I think what it’s doing is lighting a fire under council and administration. The longer we wait, we all know costs continue to rise.” 

Building new infrastructure right now is not cheap.

The Lac La Biche facility comes in a pricetag of $49.9 million. The new Cold Lake Public Works Shop already has $35 million committed.

Inflation is a real factor for municipalities at the moment.

It begs the question of finding municipal partners, such as the M.D. of Bonnyville, to be a part of the project.

A joint committee years ago was formed with Town, M.D., and community members. The Reeve of the day for the M.D., Greg Sawchuk, was quoted as saying the M.D. was only going to fund one major pool in the Lakeland.

“We’re gonna work really hard with our municipal partners and and see what their appetite is. But what I do know for sure, is that the Town of Bonnyville is definitely has the appetite to go forward with this, but we just don’t know what it’s gonna look like,” said Brosseau. 

Cold Lake’s appetite?

The City before COVID had explored designs to building onto the Energy Centre. But plans have largely stalled. With commitments to Lakeshore Drive and a new Public Works Shop, major debt is set aside already.

“I think every community wants a pool. It’s just a matter of, can you afford it?” said Copeland on The Morning After. 

“Right now, we don’t have it in front of us for probably for a few years. But Cold Lake residents want a pool, it’s the number one request and all residents everywhere, whether in the MD, or the Town of Bonnyville — everybody wants a pool.” 

One community is definitely getting a pool, it’s Lac La Biche County, who tentatively expect to be done construction in 2026.

Bonnyville, at this point, hopes to join them.

“We’re not ready to throw in the towel. We’re ready to continue looking at all the options is what I can say. Eventually, we’re gonna have to get to that point where yes, we’re gonna have to make that hard decision of do we continue in this path that whatever cost it comes out to? Or is it looking at other options?”