Osoyoos Indian Band, Towns of Oliver and Osoyoos Issue Request for Proposal
The Towns of Osoyoos and Oliver along with Osoyoos Indian Band are officially issuing a Request for Proposal to assess the feasibility of building and operating a Regional Aquatic Centre.
These communities have long expressed desire for a year-round indoor aquatic facility to enhance quality of life, provide leisure and fitness activities, attract amenity migrants to the region, promote economic development and serve the visitor population including a growing winter “snowbird” population.
John Bjerkan says
I hate to be negative but pools are holes in the ground into which large amounts of money are poured. Summerland is currently looking into the same situation and 30 million dollars is being tossed around.
Bill Eggert says
Well here we go again. That poor horse is getting another flogging dead as it is.
Here’s what happens if it goes ahead. Local governments approve the build. It gets done. By the time it comes into being, the politicians that okayed it are long gone. When the taxes increase, because we all know they will, the new politicians shrug their shoulders and say it wasn’t their decision. Voila. Another unaccountable tax increase.
For those who want to think outside the box. Here was an idea I floated years ago. It got some ears, but alas not enough.
Sell the “air” above the property containing the pool, rec centre, community center and that disgusting little toilet facility at the west end to a high end hotel chain for a dime. Conditions being that the entire mess be bulldozed and a hotel built in its place. The ground floor would be controlled by the town and RDOS with an indoor swimming pool, rec offices, community center and yes public toilets! Maintenance of the facilities would be split between the three entities.
Ah, to dream.
Kathy Stevens says
As citizens of Oliver ,we would love to see FIRST….money spent at the Top of The List on a permanent Shelter for the Homeless ,Rebuilding The Arena and Absolutely Overhauling/Updating The Main Street Look with additional parking somewhere close to Main Street to encourage more foot traffic .First Impressions do matter when attracting new people to the area . The development on Station Street will help as well . An Aquatic Centre would be nice but very expensive and would the usage be enough to maintain it I am sure it would have a dedicated core group that would use it regularly but would that be enough and would it be all year . Oliver seems to be a Town who has a dedicated group of Fitness Enthusiasts who love to be outside any time of day ,enjoying the walking trails and nature….. Perhaps an Aquatic Centre COULD work if several communities shared the ownership.
Richard Simmons Jr. says
Thank you Ms. Madge ! Having trouble helping freezing people on the streets and money being spent, again, on this ? A pool would be great but I’m not sure it should be a priority at this time in the world.
Pat Hampson says
Once more we spend money studying the indoor pool idea. Indoor pools definitely do not make money; even if it is a joint venture. Construction costs are high and operating costs can exceed the revenue generated.
There are 50+ homeless and couch surfers; (people who use a friends sofa for the night.) a solution is critical to the well-being of those who are sleeping alongside the river and under the Fairview bridge and in an abandoned house.
It makes more sense to cover the existing pool if a covered pool is so desperately needed by a few people.
Shirley Zelinski says
50 plus homeless…why only one or 2 in shelter when opened recently? When I left home at 17 I couch surfed and spent a couple nights in homeless shelters. It did not take me long to realize that I did not like my situation, and usually the couch owner didn’t either. So I quickly learned how to apply for a job, 2 jobs, go to night school for a better job, target good paying jobs, get good references and was able to make my way to my own place, with a roommate, and gain much experience with responsibility. This is pretty normal for many starts for young people. I did not want hand outs and did not expect others to pay my way. I did not want to go back home and live under someone else’s rules. What has changed so much that many think it is up to a community to pay for often lazy, free riding people, that are led to believe society and the government owns them food, shelter, and more. I am aware many are not lazy, but many are. Better to put funding towards immediate help to treat addiction. Many homeless will not go into a shelter, as there are usually rules and a total lack of independence. Hardship is what has always taught mankind. A hand up, not a hand out may be required when there are mental health issues. If we as a society keep up with the unconditional handouts, we will as a society pay dearly for the cost. We are lucky in the South Okanagan in the plentiful, year round employment opportunities, even though pay in many cases is minimum. Work more than one job, share rent with others, figure it out. I saved and planned for my financial responsibility in retirement, but not nearly enough for handouts through taxes for dozens more.
Publisher: Think I have read your personal story a number of times. Of course I had a silver spoon in my honey.
What I do agree with in your comment is the number of people who show up with their hand out and are not prepared to change their actions, behaviors, choices etc.
As a society that cares we should still have red tape, questions and all those needing shelter, food, income, cigs, booze, drugs – should be screened. OK many will say well that is against their rights.
What are the rights? – use to be to go to a mental institution or a prison, jail etc.
Society should be able to track who is using the system. Forget a department of unemployment – we need a department of employment – assessments, training, goals, results. Efficacy.
More church basements should be used for counselling, education, training etc. – not soup kitchens, warming centres, hostels, ……
Do the seniors care? Do the new X generation care that much. Individual responsibility is key.
Mary Lou Ellan says
We already did a feasibility study and it is too costly! Why beat a dead horse?
Sylvia Treptow says
Any time anybody expresses to any level of government “oh wouldn’t it be great if _______”, or “we demand __________”, or “I want ________”, there are price tags attached. It costs mega bucks to build a facility. It costs mega bucks annually to maintain, repair and operate whatever is built. It costs mega bucks to eventually replace whatever is built. Doesn’t matter which level of government contributes to the cost to build, all funds come from the pockets of tax payers (that would be you and me). Higher levels of government are not going to help finance annual costs to maintain, repair and operate the facility. Are local tax payers prepared to pay? Personally I would much rather our tax dollars be spent to maintain necessary infrastructure already in existence. Financing a “nice to have” project just doesn’t cut it for me during tough financial times so many people are enduring currently.
Amy Tucker says
YES!!! Please, please and please.
Cal Craik says
Two words…Money Pit.
Five words…Really Big Ongoing Money Pit.
Carolyn Madge says
Absolutely no offence, Steve Staresina. I had already started on my little opinion piece when your comment popped up and in all good conscience I can’t put the brakes on. It may be too late but this issue has been raised more than once in the past and I cannot think of one good reason to pursue it again. A study doesn’t result in an actual facility but I’m thinking the money spent on such a proposal could surely be more effectively spent elsewhere. While it’s very nice to think about the wants of Osoyoos and the Osoyoos Indian Band I believe we must think of the needs of our own community now and in the near future. Currently, and in the foreseeable future we have an outdoor swimming pool that will continue to serve us well for another 10 to 20 years. It has been well maintained for the 33 years since it was constructed. It has also been retrofitted with a saltwater system which has pretty much replaced the old chlorine system which was much more costly to operate. It’s also safer. We have an arena that has aged well and been maintained well for over fifty years. The roof needs work, the ice surface needs replacing and the ice plant is likely due for some major maintenance work. We have a fabulous parks system, a newly renovated skatepark, a great community centre (that is aging too), tennis courts, playing fields, Rotary Beach, Kiwanis Playground, Frank Venables Theatre, and so much more. For a community our size, with the support of Oliver and Electoral Area “C” we realty want for nothing more until we can realistically afford it. We need to continue to look after what we have as priority one. Our tax base has not flourished or grown to the degree that we can really invest in a new aquatic facility that a lot of people will have to travel to just to use. Yes, it will have more bells and whistles than what we have but it will cost considerably more to operate it. I won’t dwell on the cost of construction since that capital cost will disappear in 20 to 30 years but in the meantime……..ouch. Please think about what we have invested our tax dollars into to date and how practical it is to continue to maintain what we are so proud to have. There has been quite a lot of discussion and concern for our homeless residents of late and for good reason. I’m inclined to agree that Mayor and Council might want to give more of their time discussing the needs of that segment of our population and how they are in the position to support Desert Sun Counselling and Resource Centre’s very viable proposal now when it is very much needed. We have active service organization who have supported many community projects over the years – if we can just be patient and look after what we have, we can then look to future when we have a tax base that can help us to sustain such an expenditure as an aquatic centre.
Steve Staresina says
Great idea. It’s about time some progressive proposals are being discussed
Steve Staresina says
With all due respect,Carolyn, if you don’t have good infrastructure and attractions the tax base you talk about will never grow, but will stay staid as it is now and the repair costs of the present facilities will only rise as time passes making things worse.
Right now there is very little in Oliver to attract young families to move here work hard making a living and ad to the local tax system. I could go on but I will finish with “IF YOU BUILD IT, They will come.”
Publisher: A couple points Steve. There is a boom near my in Town. Oliver is growing – its just the old main street that is struggling. You live in the rural area – both Osoyoos and Oliver rural are not paying for the study. Likely they will not participate in any building cost. One other thing the OIB has stated they would like the aquatic centre in Osoyoos. So lets look at Carolyn’s ideas – fix what we have here now – the arena first as the oldest structure. If you want a covered pool – take that on as your cause. I hear the feasibility report is expected to expose the true costs and it will never get off the ground.
Personally I think we have lots of other priorities to spend money – streets, sidewalks and improved infrastructure.
Mike Campol says
Mike Campol states:
The OIB is not stating that this amenity should be built in Osoyoos. Location will be part of the study.
Publisher:
How are things going in Westbank? Maybe you could send me the RFP. My mind disturbed as it remembers a statement from Clarence sometime ago – that his preference would have that pool on OIB land.
Fighting with me will get you no where. You might search out the answer to the question why is Area A Osoyoos and Area C Oliver – not overly interested ??