The Town of Innisfail's council should not be surprised by the Albertan article Social media flap over Innisfail pool's universal change room boils over
The 2021 survey showed that 73 per cent of respondents had a preference for the three-option change rooms.
Those with that preference no doubt felt their opinion was overlooked/ignored when the decision to not have new construction because of funding issues arose and the existing pool just gets modernized/repaired.
If you’ve ever watched a renovation show you’ll hear (over and over) that removing walls and relocating electrical and plumbing are a major expense and can be creatively avoided.
In order to have the universal change room, walls have to be removed and major plumbing relocation is required. Labour is a huge part of the expense.
Why not save those many dollars, set it aside and instead repair and renovate the existing change rooms as labelled? No plumbing changes, no walls removed. Less cost. Renos done quicker. No “new plans” are needed as the floor plan already exists.
Any good construction crew can demo the existing change rooms and replace and update, all without doing up new plans.
Then take the savings that are set aside and add a new addition for the universal/community, “everyone welcome” change room.
It may be a year or two but we’ve existed with the present change room situation for decades. So what’s a little more time in order to achieve all three options?
The building design experts who said “you can’t have all three” options gave drawings based on budget.
The experts didn’t choose the universal-only option – town council did, despite public opinion.
If most of Innisfail let council know of their wishes for change rooms at the pool, the council should have honoured those surveyed. Why ask otherwise?
Construction has literally just begun. It is not too late to correct things. All three options can be achieved if council is willing to change their direction and renovate the change rooms as they exist. Add a new addition down the road.
Lastly, a thank you to Emily Mburugu for exercising the right to her freedom of speech. She obviously awakened a large percentage of our town folk by doing so – I, for one.
Brenda Rintisch,
Innisfail
