Ice rink vs pool

No — I think the pool is needed more.

No. I believe an indoor pool is both wanted and needed in New Tecumseth, and I don't think we should be looking at major recreation projects in isolation from one another.

I voted to defer both the indoor pool and sports dome to the 2027 Budget deliberations (and I voted against the arena) because I want Council to look at the bigger picture: what recreation facilities do we already have? What are we missing? What will each new facility cost to build and operate? What do we need to reserve for the eventual replacement of the assets we already own? And, ultimately, what can taxpayers reasonably afford?

An indoor pool would fill a significant gap in our recreation programming, but pools also require an ongoing municipal operating subsidy. That's why the original concept of combining the pool with a fitness centre piqued my interest, as membership revenue could potentially help offset some of those ongoing costs but that's not what council originally asked for.

Further, I wasn't satisfied with the initial design given to Council. I wanted to see other configurations, locations and funding opportunities, including potential grants, before committing to a project of this size. The NTRC was identified as the preferred location, but I don't believe that should prevent us from asking whether another site or a larger multi-use recreation complex could provide better long-term value.

My vote to defer was not a vote against a pool. It was a vote to bring these major recreation projects into the same budget discussion so Council can make an informed decision about our entire recreation system and not simply approve one expensive project at a time.

I have supported SHIFT through volunteering, advocacy and delivering support through council. I believe we have the means to care and help our most vulnerable while also keeping our downtowns safe for everyone including those without a place to sleep.

Homelessness is a growing issue across rhe country and the solution lies in the collaboration and pooling of resources from all levels of government. With the province defunding many of the services through DC reduction, our town needs to make an strong effort to lobby the province for funding.

I sit on the affordable housing committee at the County where I have advocated we need more transitional housing. I plan to continue those efforts as Mayor.

The plan for the pool was brought forward at the end of the term of council, not during the budget process. This was not right. I wanted the opportunity to speak to the 2400 residents I was going to be meeting at the door to see if they want a pool (which will most likely be located in Alliston) and do they want the tax increase that will come with it? We need to get some help with a project like this and partner with other municipalities, the province or developers. Adjala-Tos hasn't given us any money for Parks & Recreation and yet their residents use our facilities. Other municipalities, like King, get money from businesses for their facilities. We need to look for other sources of money to help pay for a project of this magnitude as the tax payer can't shoulder the burden.

I don't think it should have been a one over the other. I personally believe all 3 items should have advance to the next stages to see what grants we could participate in? What partnerships could be made ie name recognition etc at a cost of course and to explore further costing. It was a real shame for how the council meeting was handled that day.

If elected I would bring it back to the table with hopes we're not too late and other elected members hopefully support it. After all your one voice and one vote amongst 8 other elected members. (We ) those selected to represent our communities and residents need to work together and find a common ground. This past council from my position, watching every meeting was not working together. It wasn't just one person they each brought good and bad over the 4 year period.

This question Was Already answered In Arena vs Pool. Here is my response below.

This is a difficult choice as one option will upset one group, and another answer will upset another. However, as difficult as it is, decisions have the be made.

As I discussed the issue with constituents, the missing pool always comes up. Residents repeatedly noted how a year-round pool should have been included when the New Tec Rec Centre was originally built. Given the fact the prior council has already approved the arena, this question seems like a purely academic exercise. My view is I would have elected for the pool since New Tecumseth already has facilities available for all residents across Alliston, Tottenham, and Beeton. The pool would serve a larger demographic, including toddler swimming lessons, school safety programs, seniors and open public recreation. In addition, I do agree Beeton deserves a new arena as the existing one has run its course and is very costly to maintain. The broader question is what is best for New Tecumseth as a whole. The inability to access a pool forces families, seniors, and swimmers to travel outside the municipality or rely on private/seasonal alternatives. Having said that one cannot dismiss the impact a 5% increase and its demands will have on the already stretched taxpayer.

A pool, a dome, an arena. All cost money after the fact. We pay to build them and we then charge our residents to use them. For me I'd love to see some options that don't charge residents after they are built. Mainly a trail system that works, that actually gets us places from our front door. Parks such as an All Wheels Park that generates options for our youth and our youth at heart. Our economy today is perhaps more dire than it appears. Once development reboots and the development charges start rolling in, perhaps that is the time we revisit these big projects. I do want a pool though, but for now I use the outdoor one on an almost daily occurrence (in season) as well as the Nott, and I have been up to the base as well. We are fortunate to have so many surrounding options.

Here's an outside the box possibility -- What if we sold the NTRC to private business? and did a full reboot on our Town Recreation Centre? I'd love to explore this at least.

That probably would not have been a decision I would have made. The user data would guide my thoughts.

Questions like how many people use the current Ice Rinks? What is the cost per user and what are they charged? How many different people use the icepads and what is the projected increase?

How much does it cost to run a pool? What is the capacity and staffing levels?

When comparing the two, what is the average cost for use per individual? Considering equipment or training etc. Which benefits the most families?

Why are these the only two options? Lots of questions that I would like to ask before committing millions of dollars to any project.

This is an example of what happens when people don't vote. Millions of dollars budgeted for from such a small percentage of the electorate.