Councillor insists refurbishing Lawson Centre solves new pool overruns

Article content

City council heard few alternatives to lessen the cost burden of the new Indoor Aquatic Centre (IAF) on Wednesday while one councillor continued to insist that discussions on the project should start over from the beginning.

Executive committee addressed a supplemental report on alternative funding sources to cover the city’s $165.9-million share in the now-$245.1 million project. That sparked a repeat discussion led by Coun. Lori Bresciani (Ward 4) about renovating the outdated Lawson Aquatic Centre instead of building a new one.

Article content

A report from administration in August revealed the IAF as designed has grown from its originally approved price tag by $84.4 million.

The city is responsible for paying that overrun, per a multi-government agreement that’s in place via the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP). The IAF’s new budget must be approved by city council, which is set for a vote on Oct. 9.

Tasked with exploring solutions, city staffers put out a call in September to gauge interest in naming rights, sponsorship and philanthropy. They also met with provincial and federal governments to ask for more funding and explored internal sources that could be redirected.

Contributions from other levels of government are “not expected to change,” reads the ensuing report, presented Wednesday. The IAF is not likely eligible for other grants, as it already hits the ICIP threshold of being 40-per-cent federally funded.

“Though we’ve also examined a number of potential internal options, each has potential negative impacts on other projects,” added Ted Schisler, interim deputy city manager of finance and strategy.

Article content

Article content

Administration’s preferred strategy remains steadfast: to minimize taking funds from other projects and instead borrow against the city’s debt limit, which would require a proposed mill rate increase of either 2.7 per cent or 0.5 per cent for five years to service the debt.

That equates to a property tax increase for the average household of about $65, or $12 per year over five years.

“It’s less complicated, less risky to other important projects, over the planning horizon,” said Schisler. “(This) spreads costs out over the years for residents who will be using it now and into the future.”

Bresciani, however, once again pressed the question of instead refurbishing the Lawson. The old pool no longer needs to be decommissioned as a condition of the ICIP agreement.

Bresciani has called the new pool a “Taj Mahal project” since she heard its new cost, using those words in council chambers and to media at her campaign launch for mayor last month.

Article content

It would cost an estimated $61 million to renovate the Lawson enough to extend its life another 25 years, said Schisler, “and you would have nothing done on a new aquatic centre.”

Inflation and unforeseen construction costs could also balloon that price tag in the same way as IAF’s budget, he added.

“I feel strongly we can get some regional economic dollars,” insisted Bresciani.

She attempted to move an amendment to investigate fixing up the Lawson, including costs for repairs and to construct a separate competitive pool “in an area of the city large enough where that could be eligible” for regional funding.

“Do we think there’s value of having two pools?” said Bresciani, whose question received little enthusiasm from fellow councillors around the horseshoe.

Three councillors — Coun. Andrew Stevens (Ward 3), Bob Hawkins (Ward 2) and Mayor Sandra Masters — objected to the motion with points of order, arguing it was better made in the Oct. 9 discussion on IAF’s approval.

Masters said changing the project’s scope that much could even require a reconsideration motion to recall one or several approving votes on the IAF that passed in the last two years.

Article content

Bresciani withdrew her motion, but hinted it may return during next week’s meeting.

Coun. Andrew Stevens (Ward 3) later called the idea “putting the lipstick on the ol’ Lawson pig.” He asked if changing the project’s direction in this way could lose the promised funding from ICIP.

Ly Pham, chief of staff for the city manager’s office, confirmed this is a risk as a refurbishment could be seen as an entirely different project in the federal government’s eyes.

“The danger here is if instead of building one first-class, 21st-century pool that will last 50 years … we will somehow get two second-class pools,” said Hawkins.

Speaking to media after the meeting, Masters flat-out rejected the idea of doubling back to fix the Lawson and build a second pool at a different location.

“These decisions have all been made,” she said, citing that “north of $2 million” and three years of planning have already been invested.

“At a reach, $60 million for 25 years (to renovate the Lawson) or $80 million for 50 years (for a new facility)? That is an easy mathematical equation for me to do, especially as that $60 million comes with risk, with higher operational costs, and doesn’t create the facility the IAF does.”

Article content

Masters campaigned on building a new aquatic centre in her inaugural run for mayor in 2020 and said Wednesday she still supports the idea.

She and Bresciani are both running for mayor in the upcoming municipal election, slated for Nov. 13.

“I think what the Taylor Field yards look like four years from now (with a new pool on the site) is going to make the city really proud,” Masters said.

lkurz@postmedia.com

The Regina Leader-Post has created an Afternoon Headlines newsletter that can be delivered daily to your inbox so you are up to date with the most vital news of the day. Click here to subscribe.

With some online platforms blocking access to the journalism upon which you depend, our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark leaderpost.com and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed. Click here to subscribe.

Article content