A commentary by a member of Victoria city council.
When last June, Victoria city council voted to send the new Crystal Pool proposal to a public referendum, I assumed city staff would ensure the city took a neutral stand, allowing the public to decide.
Hence, to my surprise, I saw a bus shelter ad from the City of Victoria reading: “A more accessible, sustainable, modern, more inclusive, bigger Crystal Pool and Wellness Centre.”
After I voiced my concern, I was even more surprised to see a half-page ad in the Times Colonist, with the same statement touting the wonders of this project.
I have subsequently found out these kinds of ads and promotions from the city will continue. All at taxpayers’ expense.
A new facility will certainly be “more accessible, sustainable, modern and more inclusive,” however, the referendum on Saturday, Feb. 8, is not asking Victoria voters if that statement is true or false.
It is asking Victoria residents if this particular plan is worth funding.
In my opinion, as a sole councillor, not speaking for the City of Victoria, if I just focus on the binding part of the referendum — to borrow $168.9 million — here’s what I think are some of the key arguments on the Yes and No sides:
The need for a pool
Yes, Victoria needs its own swimming pool and wellness centre.
No, this particular plan is a regional facility. We don’t need a pool this elaborate nor this expensive. If we want another regional pool (like the Commonwealth Pool), the region should pay for it. In the meantime, let’s build a modest pool for a city with fewer than 100,000 residents.
Cost of borrowing
Yes, as borrowing $168.9 million will only increase property taxes by 7.5% over the first four or five years of the project being built.
No, borrowing $168.9 million will add $256 to the average home owner for the building period, but then $256 will be paid for each and every year for another 20 years, totaling $5,376. The average business will pay $660 during the building years and $660 for the next 20 years, totalling $13,860.
Value for money
Yes, this is money well spent. This facility will have a 50-metre cold-water pool, a 25-metre warm-water pool, family-oriented aquatic play areas, with splash features, waterslides, kiddy pools and a great fitness facility.
No, this is too extravagant. While we are “just” borrowing $168.9 million, the taxpayers, through our long paid-for reserves will be drained by an additional $47 million for a total cost of either $209.2 million or $215.9 million depending on location. We’ll have to pay the reserves back, too.
Reducing greenhouse gases
Yes, as the existing Crystal Pool is the city’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases. The new facility will significantly reduce Victoria’s GHG emissions, aligning with the Climate Leadership Plan targets, and serve the long-term wellness needs of the population.
No, any modern pool will reduce our carbon footprint, and a more modest pool will reduce it even further.
Costs will continue to go up
Yes, if we put off building again, the costs will just keep going up.
No, instead of building this very elaborate facility, a new, modest pool will be much cheaper than this existing proposal even if it’s delayed a couple of years.
Cost overruns
Yes, with a contingency of about 30% built in, this facility will come in on budget.
No, there are no guarantees on costs. The Johnson Street Bridge was a “fixed price” contract at $63 million, but the final cost was $105 million, 67% over budget. No one can guarantee this will come in on budget.
While I’m pleased the city’s referendum brochure sent to my home is objective, that brochure comes from our legislative branch. It gives the facts about the voting process. However, it appears all other communication from the City of Victoria will continue to promote the wonders of this project, without details of both sides.
We’ve got a month to go and there are already groups advocating for the “yes” and the “no” sides. I encourage all Victoria voters to collect all the information they can. It’s the city’s biggest proposed project to date, so it’s a big decision.
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