MOUNT FOREST ‒ As designs and costs for the new Mount Forest pool are being finalized, some residents are already complaining about its new location.
During a Mount Forest aquatics committee meeting earlier this month, members decided the new pool will be built at 850 Princess St., next door to the Mount Forest and District Sports Complex and neighbouring some future developments.
While township staff are currently working with consultants Tillmann Ruth Robinson to complete the detailed design and updated cost, the current estimated cost for the project is $5.3 million.
“Having a goal of fall 2023 for this presentation gives us time to fully develop a strategy and be able to have a confident presentation available," said Coun. Sherry Burke, in the meeting's minutes.
Council plans to fundraise much of the cost of the new pool.
But some disappointed residents like Bill Dineen took to Facebook to share their complaints about the new pool’s location.
“I know the new swimming pool is an expensive endeavour and a much-debated issue. Myself, I am definitely against the location,” said Dineen. “It will be used mostly by younger people who will have to walk or ride bikes etc. I would like to see a more central location.”
Dineen believes a better location for the pool would be at the fairgrounds, closer to the splash pad and Bill Moody Park.
“Now it’s going to be practically the edge west side. Kids coming from the east side will have issues,” commented Sand Sphar. “The town used to be divided evenly for venues like pool arena. Now it’s wherever it can be plunked in and built at a huge cost.”
Mike Russell shared Dineen’s comments that whoever made this decision “made a poor one.”
“For the price they are spending they could put a building around it so we can have an indoor pool and utilize it year-round with swimming lessons,” said Russell.
Caroline Parks also commented that she wished it was an indoor pool.
“The community would make more money if (the pool was) used all winter for classes,” said Parks. “What a shame all that money for summer use only. I’m sure it will be beautiful but in my opinion, impractical.”
But Shelley Weber defended the new pool, arguing that the old pool was closer to the 89 “compared to where the new one is going.”
“I feel the Cork St location is much safer, more parking, and has a safer park location too,” commented Weber.
However, as councillors continue to design the new pool signage, total funding costs and where that money will come from are still up in the air.
"Smaller projects... like calendars, swag, etc. are all high effort but don’t necessarily have high yields," said a report in the meeting agenda. "These ideas are still important to include the community members who aren’t big business and want to support the project (but) the committee needs to develop an approach on how to attain higher levels of support from big companies in our community that want to donate."
More detailed answers related to costs and the former pool are anticipated in mid-to-late July. Until then, any additional information can be found on the pool's Facebook page or under Wellington North's capital projects.
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.
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