Moncton neigbourhood's long-awaited pool to be built by 2018
Mayor Dawn Arnold couldn't support the pool in the existing location because it's in a flood-prone area
Moncton council voted in favour of building a new pool in the city's east end on Monday night after several years of lobbying by local residents.
Coun. Shawn Crossman, who has rallied for a new pool, came up with a motion to build a pool by the end of summer in 2018.
The pool at the Moncton East Youth Centre has been closed since 2013 due to maintenance problems.
A year later, Moncton council voted unanimously to replace it. But the pool was never built.
The stalling left people in Moncton's east end wondering if city council forgot its commitment to repair or replace the outdoor pool next to the youth centre.
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On Monday night, council was also presented with a report from the city's leisure services department, which recommended decommissioning the pool due to structural issues.
The report suggested getting rid of the pool and spending the $1 million budgeted for the project on other ideas for an aquatic program.
Several councillors, including Coun. Paulette Theriault, disagreed.
It means that I haven't wasted my time in all of this and I've worked, all of my heart and effort has paid off.-Daunte Feere-Landry
"We all know that we have neglected the east end of our city." Theriault said.
"Coun. Crossman and I happen to represent that section of the city and it is one that is in desperate need of tender loving care at the moment."
Council voted 7-4 to go ahead with the new pool.
The report from leisure services did list some replacement options for the pool, ranging in cost from from $1.2 million to $1.9 million.
"We'll design it over the next few months and then the project would go to council for approval of awarding a tender to build it." said Jocelyn Cohoon, the city's director of leisure services.
Not an easy decision
The report also pointed out that the pool's location is deemed to be in a flood-prone area.
Mayor Dawn Arnold said she believes the pool is a great initiative but couldn't support the pool's location in a flood zone, especially with such high costs involved.
"This is a very tough one I have to say," said Arnold. "I came in here not knowing what to do.
"But I do think there is real merit to an aquatic pool in the east end but I am really, really worried about building it there."
Good news for Moncton teen
A new pool was welcome news for Daunte Feere-Landry,13, who has been busy attending rallies and fighting for a new pool.
"It means that I haven't wasted my time in all of this and I've worked, all of my heart and effort has paid off," Daunte said.
Pikey French, the executive director of the Moncton East Youth Centre, said she felt relieved.
She said she isn't worried about flooding in the area.
"The pool's been there … since '79, our building has been there since '71 and never has there been a problem with water," she said.