Gibsons pool closure option removed from master plan

A suggestion that the Gibsons pool could be "phased out" in the future sparked a passionate debate at the May 9 Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) community services committee meeting.

Reviewing workshop notes for the draft SCRD parks and recreation master plan, directors took aim at a section outlining the option of phasing out the Gibsons and District Aquatic Facility if attendance figures do not increase.

The offending passage said a five-year program for the facility would "either realize a significant increase in participation or demonstrate that the pool can be phased out." As one future option, the draft went on, it might be possible to shift aquatic users to the SCRD's other two pools, Sechelt Aquatic Centre in particular.

"If a good public transportation system can be implemented over the next 10 years that would move current clients, this would be the most cost-efficient solution," the draft said.

Roberts Creek director Donna Shugar questioned why the option was included.

"To actually suggest that the local aquatic users be shifted to Sechelt Aquatic Centre -I find that a shocking statement," Shugar said.

"I find this recommendation to be in direct conflict with our overall strategic regional district plan, absolutely. It makes no sense to me," Gibsons alternate director Lee Ann Johnson said.

The idea was "particularly irritating," Johnson said, "after we have supported the pool in Pender for a much smaller population base. The pool in Pender is a good thing, but to suggest that roughly half the population that lives in the catchment area of Gibsons don't need a pool and can go to Sechelt is ridiculous."

Speaking from the gallery, Anne Titcomb, chair of the recreation and parks services advisory committee, said the draft plan was setting a five-year window to beef up attendance at the pool and included a second option that would retain the facility if numbers do go up. The board has already taken steps to increase usage, and those efforts are working, she said.

In that case, asked committee chair Lee Turnbull, why was the closure option still in the draft plan?

"It always has been completely egregious for the Gibsons area," said Turnbull, director for West Howe Sound.

Board chair Garry Nohr said his reading of the section was, "So we're happy with it, but let's close it and move people."

Nohr suggested it be "reworded in a more positive way."

"I think it should be eliminated," Johnson said. "It doesn't belong there and will cause a lot of conflict in our communities."

Both Nohr and Johnson also criticized the reference to public transportation, with Johnson calling it "an insult to the community."

But District of Sechelt director Darnelda Siegers defended the section.

"I'm sorry I have to disagree with all of you," Siegers said. "We're looking at taking this out to the public and we have to provide all the options, and one of them could be potentially closing Gibsons pool.

"It's a significant financial burden that the SCRD would need to take on and we don't know if the public is willing to do that. That's the purpose of the plan and the purpose of having that in there," Siegers said.

"We can't say it's not on the table. It is on the table."

"Frankly," Turnbull said after further discussion, "we're not going to get away with having two facilities in Sechelt and one in Gibsons. Anybody who thinks that, they've got another think coming."

In the end, directors removed the option of closing the pool, replacing it with: "In the future monitoring and evaluation of the functioning of this facility should be undertaken by the SCRD, in consultation with the communities impacted, as to whether this facility will eventually be rebuilt in a new location or operated in the current location."

References to transportation and the five-year window were also deleted.

Siegers confirmed that the capital costs for upgrades to both Gibsons pool and the Sechelt arena will be included in the plan.

Paul Fenwick, general manager of community services, said the board had passed a motion to consult the public on the future of both facilities after the master plan is completed.

The revised draft plan will go back to the consultant for further refinement prior to public release. The process included a survey of 432 households conducted in June 2011.