N.B. opposition leaders support new pool project, but Holt says cost details needed
2020 report estimated pool would cost $40 million, including contingency costs
Leaders of New Brunswick's Liberal and Green parties say they'd support the City of Fredericton's plan to build a new aquatic centre, if elected to power in this fall's provincial election.
But Liberal Leader Susan Holt said any specifics on how much financial support her government would be willing to offer depends on where the final price tag lands.
"I need to see the numbers," said Holt, in an interview Tuesday.
"The City of Fredericton hasn't delivered a specific dollars-and-cents ask or plan but we've been supportive of the project for six years now, and I would love to see the dollars and cents on where it stands now but we are committed to working with the City of Fredericton."
Green Party Leader David Coon was unavailable for an interview, but in a statement said he has been a "tenacious supporter" of a regional aquatic centre in Fredericton.
"I would ensure the province pays its share of the investment required to have a 50 m pool in what I see as the hub for recreational and competitive aquatics in New Brunswick," Coon said.
CBC News asked the Progressive Conservative Party for its stance on financially supporting the construction of a new aquatic centre in Fredericton, but did not receive a response before deadline.
The pledges from the Liberals and Greens come after Fredericton city council agreed Monday to write letters to the provincial party leaders detailing what they'd like to see from the next provincial government, ahead of this fall's election.
High up on that wish list is financial support for a new aquatic centre, which would replace the University of New Brunswick's aging Sir Max Aitken Pool.
Members of Fredericton's swimming community have asked for years for the new facility but progress has been slow, with neither federal, nor provincial funding commitments for its construction.
In June, support from those two levels of government became more important, after mayors representing the surrounding municipalities voted against financial support for the project during a meeting of the Capital Regional Service Commission's board of directors.
Speaking after Monday's council meeting, Fredericton Deputy Mayor Jocelyn Pike acknowledged how that vote now makes the city more reliant on other levels of government.
"It's determined that it's not going to be a regional asset, so that leaves it up to Fredericton," she said.
Latest cost estimate nearly 4 years old
The city plans to build the 10-lane, 25-metre pool alongside the Grant-Harvey Centre on Knowledge Park Drive.
So far, a feasibility study has been done, and last year the city, province and Ottawa came together to fund a $1.2-million design phase.
However, the latest cost estimate for the entire project comes from the November 2020 feasibility study, which pegged it at almost $40 million, including $8 million in contingency costs.
CBC News asked for an interview with the city Tuesday, but spokesperson Shasta Stairs said Mayor Kate Rogers was unavailable.
A new performing arts centre, Fredericton's other key capital priority, saw significant increases to its estimated completion cost.
Originally expected to cost $45 million, when first pitched in 2018, the arts centre — which will be built at the southwestern corner of King and Regent streets — is now expected to cost $81 million, with the city citing a rise in the cost of labour and materials.