Although it began its path as a “divisive” issue, the Olds Aquatic Centre has helped keep businesses and people in town.
The Town of Olds’ former chief administrative officer Norm McInnis said he “absolutely” saw the aquatic centre – which opened in 2005 – as something that brings people to the community and keeps them there.
“Part of our economic development strategy is attraction of small and medium sized enterprises, and those types of things like golf courses, recreation facilities like aquatic centres and pools, parks and open space,” he said. “It’s a prerequisite to any sort of economic development strategy that’s built on job creation and attracting small business.”
McInnis said the town originally had an outdoor pool that was located in the heart of the community in Centennial Park. When it had to be closed down, the community began to talk about what to do next.
“It was divisive in the community on some fronts,” he said. “Certainly location was one – a lot of people thought it should be in Centennial Park where the old outdoor pool was.”
He said the pool is now located on the Olds College campus, and a portion of students’ fees goes towards the operation costs of the pool, in the form of a “leisure package.” He said that on the 2016 budget, it showed that the student fees payment would add up to $43,000 for the year.
“Having a part of the tuition fee that’s paid by students who go to Olds College, as part of their leisure package for the pool has turned out really good for the operation of the pool, and I believe for students of Olds College, as well,” he said, noting that every student at the college has access to the pool.
McInnis said a provincial grant for about $2 million came through for a portion of the construction costs before the centre was built.
“Without the provincial grant that came, I’m not sure whether the current facility would have been built or not,” he said. “But the grant came, and the pool was built … It was a big driver, in the pool project going ahead.”
He said it is risky to put shovels in the ground without provincial grants in line.
“Some of the grant programs – you can’t start the project until your grant has been approved,” he said.
Town of Olds population: 8,235
Mountain View County population: 12,359
2016 pool operating deficit: $848,000
Features: Five-lane 25-metre pool, eight-metre tall waterslide, whirlpool, tot pool with beach-type entry, multi-purpose room
