City forced to face infrastructure deficit

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After decades of pushing problems off, city council is now at a budgetary crossroads.

Both the swimming pool and old arena are past their expected lifespans, and require either significant upgrades or possible demolition.

Parks and Recreation Director Willa Thorpe said there are many parts and pumps at the pool that could fail at any time, resulting in prolonged closures.

“A reminder as well to council that the equipment at an aquatic centre is not found on the shelf at our local hardware store,” she said. “It’s not a situation where we can have good-ish equipment here in Port Alberni. Each component must be ordered in advance and refurbished or fabricated elsewhere in the province so there isn’t access locally to the components we would need at our aquatic center.”

Councillor Dustin Dame said the city shouldn’t be investing in the old pool if a new aquatic centre is going to be built, and recommended the facility keep “limping along” until a decision is made.

After delaying building improvements, the old arena now require significant repairs.

Councillor Deb Haggard said the city should start looking for a new place to house their industrial collection.

Council did however approve a possible half-million dollar investment into new rinkboards at the Weyerhauser Arena.