INNISFAIL – Triggered by continuing significant public concern over universal change rooms for the modernized Innisfail Aquatic Centre, Town of Innisfail officials will be hosting two public education sessions that are tentatively set for August and September.
Mayor Jean Barclay told the Albertan on July 22 the $14.9 million modernization project, which began construction on July 7, is “constrained by budget and space," with architects concluding the best path forward was to have a universal change room as there is not adequate space to have a trio of options for men, women and universal.
“There's just not adequate space when you take into consideration the building code requirements of today,” said Barclay, noting she has received seven emails from citizens since a firestorm of controversy over the modernized facility’s universal change rooms began earlier this month.
“There was some perception at first that people would be changing in front of each other,” said Barclay, noting there will be private stalls for each user. “You go in behind a closed door into your own private change room.
“It's around safety and risk reduction when you're going behind a private door to change.”
On July 14, the town's council approved a motion for administration to coordinate two aquatic centre modernization project public education sessions up to a budget amount of $5,000.
“We still are seeing a lot of talk out in the community, and I think one of the things that I've noticed the most is that people really have a difficult time visualizing a blueprint or a technical drawing,” said Coun. Dale Dunham during a follow-up council discussion on July 21.
Dunham proposed a motion, which was approved by council, to have administration find out what the potential costs would be in getting technical drawings or schematics of what the three change room option would look like in the aquatic centre’s existing footprint, and “how it would have been invasive into the other areas” of the building.
Meghan Jenkins, the town’s community services director, told council there would be an additional cost for the project.
“The budget has been the primary on this project from day one. We've been very clear with the contractors on that front,” said Jenkins, noting there will already be extra costs for the contractors to come to the education sessions. “Yes, we can get quotes for going back and potentially producing some additional visuals and bring that information back to council.”
County contribution
As of last week, Town of Innisfail senior staff members were still waiting for a formal $1.65 million contribution offer from Red Deer County for the project that was approved by the rural municipality on July 8.
The county’s offer, if accepted by the town, will be spread out over 10 years with no payment in 2025, a 20 per cent payment of $300,000 in 2026 and equal payments of $150,000 over the remaining nine years.
Dave Brand, the county’s director of community and protective services, originally recommended a 10-year contribution plan that would total $1.98 million in deferred dollars, or $1.8 million in today’s dollars.
Brand told county council members rural residents were a “major user group” of the Innisfail Aquatic Centre in 2024 with almost 31 per cent being lesson attendees, 16 per cent having annual memberships and 23 per cent securing private rentals.
However, some members of county council believed administration’s $1.98 million recommendation was too high and opted for the $1.65 million deferred option.
“Times are tough. We're running out of cash. We've got to watch where we're spending. We can't fulfill every ask, but we have to participate,” said Coun. Philip Massier. “I look at the county as a whole. I believe in regionalization, but I also believe in living within our means.
“Don't kid yourself. Innisfail made a decision to move forward now,” he added. “They're trying to lessen their burden.”
Coun. Lonny Kennett proposed a motion with a $1.65 million contribution but with a condition that Innisfail have separate change rooms, noting 30 per cent of county users are children and the rural municipality was not “brought to the table” until after the issue was decided.
“This community change room, I think is a bad idea. I think it's just asking for problems, and I cannot support without a split change room, so that's my amendment to our funding is conditional to separate change rooms,” said Kennett. “There's a line in the sand, and this is my line in the sand.
“My daughter will not go to an open change room under my household. I'm concerned for all the kids.”
However, there were county councillors who noted the project was already under construction.
“It's not our project. We're a contributor, and I don't think it would be appropriate and good for our relationship as we move forward to put such a stipulation on this much-needed project,” said Coun. Christine Moore.
She added the information on universal change rooms shared by Brand gave her assurance county residents will be safe.
Innisfail ‘disappointed’
Mayor Jean Barclay and her council colleagues all watched the video of Red Deer County council’s discussion on July 8 around the financial contribution towards the modernization of the 38-year-old Innisfail Aquatic Centre.
“I believe their administration recommendation was based on facts of usage and was appropriate. I was disappointed they came up short of the recommendation,” said Coun. Gavin Bates of county administration’s original $1.98 million recommended contribution.
As of last week, the town had not yet received a formal copy of the county’s council-approved draft agreement.
Nevertheless, the town will be offered the county’s approved $1.65 million contribution, despite the reservations from the mayor and other members of Innisfail council.
Barclay said the county contribution could actually turn out to be around $1.3 million, or less.
“I was disappointed in the amount, to pay that over 10 years. That doesn't cover our borrowing costs,” said Barclay. “We will be discussing the offer and see where we go from here.”
However, the $1.65 million that was approved for Innisfail by Red Deer County is based on a best-case scenario of the town receiving significant government grant support, including a $6.3 million federal Green and Inclusive Community Building grant.
Todd Becker, the town’s chief administrative officer, said If the town does not get significant grant support it could ask for a bigger contribution from the county.
“The town could ask, definitely,” said Becker.
