Cambridge councillors pick larger recreation centre and Idea Exchange option for southeast Galt

Councillors in Cambridge have opted to go with a larger recreation centre and Idea Exchange facility in Galt's southeast.

The facility will include a 10-lane pool, which was something the Cambridge Aquajets Swim Club had advocated to see included.

There will also be a leisure pool, pool seating for 150 spectators, three-court FIBA (International Basketball Federation) standard gymnasium and one FIBA cross-court, a 180-meter running track, three meeting rooms, fitness studio and space for the Idea Exchange.

The project is expected to cost $107,935,380.

City staff prepared a report that has two options for councillors:

• Option A would build a 9,100-square-metre facility and that would include an eight-lane lap pool, a 1,021-square-foot space for the Idea Exchange, 2.4 hectares for park space and has a projected cost of $99,771,880.
• Option B would build a 10,300-square-meter facility and that would include a 10-lane lap pool, a 1,180-square-metre space for the Idea Exchange, 2.4 hectares of park space and has a projected cost of $107,935,380.

Staff had recommended Option A but during Thursday night's meeting, Coun. Scott Hamilton moved a motion to go with Option B.

"This is going to be a cornerstone for growth so we need to build for the capacity of the future," Hamilton said, noting the area is growing. "We only get one chance to do this right. We only get one shot. So if our community is growing, we need facilities to accommodate this."

Hamilton said council couldn't wait for the perfect plan.

"I think we've been looking for the perfect rec complex for it seems like decades, but if you keep chasing what's perfect, whether it's seating, whether it's lanes, whether it's architecture, you'll never actually put a shovel in the ground," he said.

Other councillors support larger complex

Coun. Mike Devine supported the larger complex, too.

"We've been discussing this since the first day I came on council," he said. "We need a proper facility in Cambridge. it sounds to me ... that we're also, through swim meets, be able to generate some revenue for the city, which is a good thing"

Devine said he knows it's expensive but "overall, for the community, it is best."

Coun. Sheri Roberts said as a former athlete, the project excited her.

She said she's been to recreational facilities "that were really thoughtful and took into account the different user groups that are going to be in there."

"I've also been to some that just missed the mark and you can really feel the difference in those buildings where things just don't work as smoothly, the tournaments don't go as smoothly and people don't have the space that they need," she said.

"We just need to do it right."

The decision by council to go with the larger pool was cheered by the Aquajets in social media posts Thursday night.

"The screams can be heard throughout Aquajetnation tonight," the swim club said in an Instagram post.

"Thank you city councillors for your consideration of our recommendations and for keeping the well-being of our community at the forefront."