Pitt Meadows to consider four new multi-million dollar pool proposals
The preferred option by residents, a new indoor pool, would raise taxes by more than $400 per year
A new pool in Pitt Meadows might cause a big splash for taxpayers.
City council got a look at four pool proposals in a presentation on Oct. 24 from Kate Busby, a partner with Faulknerbrowns Architects.
There are two possibilities the city should strongly consider based on development costs and community feedback, Busby said.
Those options are an outdoor pool at Harris Road Park or an indoor pool at Pitt Meadows Athletic Park.
Both proposals would include a 25 metre, six lane lap pool, hot tub and sauna, and a leisure pool with a lazy river.
They would also give Pitt Meadows residents a new swimming option, as the 80-year-old Harris Road Park outdoor pool is currently the only pool within the city and is in need of a replacement.
“It’s arguably past end-of-life in terms of physical condition. The existing tank was built in the 1940s and is experiencing significant water loss and draining issues, impacting other amenities,” stated Busby.
“At any point in time, the community is at risk of losing its one pool facility.”
But both new options are going to mean a tax hike.
A new outdoor pool — which would be open for five months of the year — would cost more $22 million to build, leading to a projected annual tax increase of approximately $157 for homeowners.
The indoor option, meanwhile, the preferred choice by a majority of residents, would raise taxes by approximately $466 annually.
In total, an indoor facility is expected to cost over $40 million.
“Community engagement through the survey and open house did show enthusiasm for a new indoor pool, with 66 per cent of respondents favouring a medium indoor pool,” Busby stated.
However, she advised council to consider the financial risks of building an indoor pool, operating it year-round, and raising taxes with many similar facilities located near Pitt Meadows.
Specifically, the report noted there are eight indoor pools within 20km of the city, including three within 10km: the Maple Ridge Leisure Centre (7.4km), Port Coquitlam Community Centre (9.5km), and Hyde Creek Recreation centre (9.8km).
Busby added that those options don’t include two new proposals in Maple Ridge and Coquitlam for new indoor pools in Hammond and Fraser Mills, respectively.
Installing a cover over a potential outdoor pool, similar to the one at Otter Co-op outdoor waterpark in Aldergrove, may allow residents to swim up to eight months of the year, Busby stated after Coun. Mike Hayes asked about the logistics of building a hybrid indoor/outdoor pool.
Although no plans are final, Coun. Bob Meachen expressed concern over how much the costs to develop either project may rise in the future, noting that the price to build the Harris Road underpass has tripled in recent years.
“We’re here today talking about these costs, and we’re talking about early stages, and it could be a year or two down the road before we put shovels in the ground,” he stated.
“That’s my big concern.”
Should the city move forward with one of the options, construction wouldn’t begin until the second quarter of 2026. Development costs may increase by 23.2 per cent by then, the report stated.
Mayor Nicole MacDonald applauded the presentation and said staff would use the information to make a final decision on the feasibility of building a new pool in Pitt Meadows.
No time frame was given regarding that decision process.
“We’re going to get to the bottom of this pool question and decision,” MacDonald stated.
The presentation included the results of the city’s aquatics feasibility study, which was based on two public surveys held in April and June.
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