Special swimming pool levy being discussed

A special levy up to a maximum of $250 could be introduced to help pay for the swimming pool.
The levy would be in place over 10 years, starting in January, 2022.
Gary Schlageter, the Town’s Chief Administrative Officer, raised the possibility of a levy at last Wednesday’s public meeting in the Armouries.
He said the idea was still at the discussion stage.
“Fundraising and grants will decrease the amount of years and total cost,.” he said. “Thus, this is still a current unknown.”
Michelle McKenzie, the Mayor, said any levy would be capped at $250. It could be lower, for example $100, she said.
“It all comes down to the final project number,” she said.
Earlier, Councillor Al Fournier gave an overview of the swimming pool project.
He said that on October 13, 2020, a resolution was passed to award the tender to Master Pools. The Town of Maple Creek then signed a contract with Master Pools on April 28, 2021.
“It is a $2.9 million ‘turn key’ operation,” he said, adding that the goal was to bring the cost down.
“We feel that with local contractors, volunteers and time in lieu that number can be substantially, and will hopefully be, substantially lower.”
Fournier delivered an update on a water table issue at the site: 444 gallons of water was being pumped out every day.
“We have water, not a river,” he said.
He said the Environmental Project Officer (EPO) had given permission for the water to be discharged into a sanitary sewer main.
“We haven’t ruled out a cistern to store the water. It’s something we will look at.”
Fournier listed five pool project challenges:
• Construction season from April 15 to November 15;
• Cost of building in the winter;
• Heating and hoarding is a risk (For example, cement costs in the winter versus the summer) and was not being considered;
• Locking in contractors; and
• Supplies, including back orders.
Councillor Len Barkman spoke about the pool building.
“We came to the conclusion that we need to heat it because of wear and tear,” he said.
There was a discussion of whether to go for the option of ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms) as opposed to precast building material.
“ICF is a distinct possibility. It is more affordable and can be done by local contractors,” he said.
For the pool itself, however, ICF was not recommended, he said, pointing out that “shifting can be an issue”.

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