khris
Senior Member
City pulls plug on Olympic-sized pool
By: Radhika Panjwani
February 4, 2009 07:39 PM - The City of Mississauga is pulling out of a deal to develop an Olympic-sized pool.
The City was interested in bidding for a 50-metre pool/aquatics complex to host water polo competition for the 2015 Pan Am Games, in the eventuality the games are awarded to Toronto. But, during discussion with the games bid committee a few days ago, Mississauga was told it had to make a firm commitment on the issue soon.
At a general committee meeting today, the City decided to pass on the opportunity to develop the $76-million facility because of the high cost involved and the fact the facility would not have a fitness or recreation centre to benefit a larger section of Mississauga's population.
“They wanted a decision on the pool by the next council meeting,” said Mayor Hazel McCallion. “An Olympic pool is a very costly operation and the intention of (City) staff was to have additional facilities to support the pool — like a leisure pool. The Pan Am bidding committee said they would not fund that ... In my opinion, the pool is down the drain.”
Mississauga was planning on collaborating with neighbouring municipalities Oakville and Milton to jointly fund the project. And even with cost-sharing Mississauga's portion would have been approximately $29 million.
City officials said the time constraints laid down by the bid committee would not have allowed Mississauga to carefully consider all options.
“We had developed a concept that was a two-stage process,” said Commission of Parks and Recreation Paul Mitcham. “Stage one was we would seek approval from Council to support the bid and participate in the bidding process. And the second stage would have been final Council approval that would provide time between the submission of the bid and final approval for us to do our due diligence ...”
The majority of councillors felt the pool was an expensive proposition given the fact it would not serve any purpose once the games were over. Some councillors noted the high costs needed for maintenance and upkeep of the facility.
“You have to look at the benefit to the community after the games are over,” said Ward 9 Councillor Pat Saito. “And the operational costs are a lot higher for that type of pool.”
In the meantime, the City is still hoping to cash on the games. It is offering the Hershey Centre sports complex as possible venues for judo, taekwondo and roller skating events.
Source
By: Radhika Panjwani
February 4, 2009 07:39 PM - The City of Mississauga is pulling out of a deal to develop an Olympic-sized pool.
The City was interested in bidding for a 50-metre pool/aquatics complex to host water polo competition for the 2015 Pan Am Games, in the eventuality the games are awarded to Toronto. But, during discussion with the games bid committee a few days ago, Mississauga was told it had to make a firm commitment on the issue soon.
At a general committee meeting today, the City decided to pass on the opportunity to develop the $76-million facility because of the high cost involved and the fact the facility would not have a fitness or recreation centre to benefit a larger section of Mississauga's population.
“They wanted a decision on the pool by the next council meeting,” said Mayor Hazel McCallion. “An Olympic pool is a very costly operation and the intention of (City) staff was to have additional facilities to support the pool — like a leisure pool. The Pan Am bidding committee said they would not fund that ... In my opinion, the pool is down the drain.”
Mississauga was planning on collaborating with neighbouring municipalities Oakville and Milton to jointly fund the project. And even with cost-sharing Mississauga's portion would have been approximately $29 million.
City officials said the time constraints laid down by the bid committee would not have allowed Mississauga to carefully consider all options.
“We had developed a concept that was a two-stage process,” said Commission of Parks and Recreation Paul Mitcham. “Stage one was we would seek approval from Council to support the bid and participate in the bidding process. And the second stage would have been final Council approval that would provide time between the submission of the bid and final approval for us to do our due diligence ...”
The majority of councillors felt the pool was an expensive proposition given the fact it would not serve any purpose once the games were over. Some councillors noted the high costs needed for maintenance and upkeep of the facility.
“You have to look at the benefit to the community after the games are over,” said Ward 9 Councillor Pat Saito. “And the operational costs are a lot higher for that type of pool.”
In the meantime, the City is still hoping to cash on the games. It is offering the Hershey Centre sports complex as possible venues for judo, taekwondo and roller skating events.
Source
