A dire warning has been issued: the Barracuda Swim Club is facing an 'existential threat' due to the impending two-year closure of the Prince George Aquatic Centre. This isn't just a minor inconvenience; it's a potential catastrophe for swimming in Northern BC, according to a letter penned by the club's president, Shane Milne, and presented to the city council. The Aquatic Centre is slated to shut its doors from January 1, 2026, to early 2028 for extensive renovations and upgrades, including the building's exterior. But here's where it gets controversial...
Milne's letter paints a bleak picture, highlighting the devastating impact this closure could have on aquatic sports across the entire northern region. He emphasizes that the Canfor Leisure Pool, the alternative facility, is simply not equipped to host competitions due to the lack of essential equipment like starting blocks and electronic timing systems. The absence of a 50-meter pool and the reliance on 25-meter lanes will also hinder athletes' fitness and performance.
Furthermore, the closure of the Aquatic Centre as a regional hub will affect all SwimBC clubs in Northern BC. Milne's concerns extend to the potential loss of revenue from canceled swim meets, which could lead to cuts in training programs, reduced memberships, and the loss of coaches. The closure also jeopardizes the city's ability to host major events, such as the 2030 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games, for which a bid has been submitted. Additionally, the closure creates financial barriers for swimmers due to increased travel costs for competitions and could lead to a long-term decline in interest in the sport. Officials could also face potential decertification due to a lack of practice, potentially requiring paid officials to come in from outside of Prince George.
Milne's letter underscores the potential for the club's demise, drawing a parallel to a similar situation in Williams Lake. He urged the city to consider phasing the construction to minimize downtime, equip the Canfor Leisure Pool with temporary competition equipment, and commit to transparency regarding the Aquatic Centre's reopening.
However, the council's response was mixed. While Councillor Trudy Klassen proposed a motion to direct administration to explore options to minimize disruption, it was ultimately defeated. Some council members felt the request was made too late in the process. Mayor Simon Yu and Klassen pointed out that the closure was initially projected to be only 10 months, not two years. Other council members, such as Ron Polillo, echoed these sentiments, highlighting that city staff had managed to accommodate 95% of Aquatic Centre users during the shutdown.
Director of finances and IT services, Kris Dalio, stated that the city had frank discussions with contractors and believed this was the only viable approach. Councillor Cori Ramsay argued that the motion was inappropriate given that the city had already hired contractors, signed contracts, and initiated preliminary work. She warned that the building's integrity could be at risk if the city didn't invest in repairs. Councillor Susan Scott also opposed the motion. Councillor Brian Skakun, however, criticized his colleagues for their harsh words about the motion's perceived irresponsibility. Director of civic facilities Andy Beesley mentioned that he had early conversations with the city's aquatics manager about acquiring temporary equipment for competitions, suggesting a potential compromise. Councillor Tim Bennett expressed hope that city staff would collaborate with swim clubs to avoid the negative impacts experienced during COVID-related pool closures.
Mayor Yu suggested that the work could be done in a way that would preclude major shutdowns, including constructing an external building for mechanical and plumbing elements. Following the debate, Beesley assured that his staff would do whatever possible to mitigate the shutdown's length.
The vote outcome was clear: The motion to explore alternatives to the two-year shutdown was defeated, with Mayor Yu, Councillor Klassen, and Councillor Skakun voting in favor and Councillors Ramsay, Polillo, Scott, Frizzell, Bennett, and Sampson voting against.
This situation raises several questions: Do you believe the city is making the right decision? What potential solutions could have been explored? Share your thoughts in the comments below – let's discuss!
