As the City of Corner Brook and a group of regional partners look at the feasibility of building a new pool, a new player has entered the picture that could see the project go in a whole different direction.
The new player is Grenfell Campus, Memorial University of Newfoundland.
The need for a pool really came to light when Grenfell announced in December 2015 that it would be closing its pool in April 2016, leaving the city with just the arts and culture centre pool.
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University administration said at the time that it would take upwards of $1.8 million to rehabilitate the pool and that money just wasn’t there.
Things haven’t really changed a lot in terms of the money, but the attitude that sees a greater value in having the pool open has.
But it’s not about just reopening the pool, Mayor Jim Parsons and Jeff Keshen, Grenfell’s vice-president, said when they sat down with The Western Star on Tuesday.
It’s about taking the infrastructure that exists at the university — the gymnasium, pool and office space — and turning it into a community centre.
As the city started the feasibility process it reached out to the community for input.
“And it’s clear that we want a family friendly, attractive, new aquatic centre,” said Parsons.
As Grenfell was looking at its space and what it could do the idea was suggested that it could be a potential site for a new aquatic and community centre.
“Jeff is really interested in getting Grenfell more integrated in the community. I’m more interested in getting the community more integrated in Grenfell,” said Parsons of some of the motivation behind the idea.
“Grenfell is not a place up on the hill. It needs to be ensconced and really part of its community,” said Keshen.
He said there is a need to look at lifelong learners and getting more people, of all ages, up at the university.
Community centres attached to universities and even high schools are something that is being seen in other areas.
Parsons said whatever is there has to meet the needs of the community. This includes competitive swimmers, swimming lessons, family friendly amenities, accessibility and really integrating the gymnasium area with the other amenities.
“No one is interested in simply renovating the pool and reopening it,” said Parsons.
“No one is just interested in going back to what we were,” added Keshen.
Keshen has talked about the idea with the university administration and while moving forward is not a definite yes, he said the response has been very positive and hopeful.
“It could be a huge win for us. We know that we have needs that are not being met that would just be a huge bonus for our students.”
A community and aquatic centre on campus would provide more opportunities for recreational sports and wellness for students and staff.
“We want really great things to happen for Grenfell,” said Keshen.
From the city’s perspective, it would provide just what the people are looking for, with an added bonus.
“It might mean that we are able to offer a new aquatic centre to our residents at an operational cost and a capital cost that are much more affordable,” said Parsons.
So, what does all this mean for the feasibility study the city had committed to doing with Mount Moriah, Massey Drive, Steady Brook, the YMCA of Western Newfoundland, Humber Community and the Corner Brook Rapids Swim Club?
Parsons said the group has decided to put a pause on that process while the Grenfell option is explored.
Parsons said they have already asked engineering companies for proposals to assess some of the structural features of the Grenfell space.
He said part of the feasibility study has been doing preliminary estimates on cost and conceptual designs, so this would still have to be done if Grenfell proves to be a suitable site.
He hopes to know in the next couple of months whether or not the project will get the green light.
