Victoria residents will soon wade in to determine the future of Crystal Pool as options for a new pool head to a referendum.
On Saturday, Feb. 8, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Victoria residents will have the opportunity to vote on whether the city can borrow up to $168.9 million to replace the facility; and to select a preferred site option between "Central Park North" or "Central Park South."
The new facility would offer a 50-metre pool, a leisure pool with 25m warm-up lanes, a shallow area, play features and a lazy river, two hot pools at different temperatures, a sauna and steam room, a large fitness studio and a number of multi-purpose rooms, according to the city.
Each site option has a unique design and budget. For both options, a total of $47 million will be used from the city's reserve funds.
Borrowing the funds required to build the Central Park North option is $162.2 million, offering a shorter overall construction schedule and a less complex construction plan. The impact on property taxes would be an average annual cost of $232 per residence for 20 years.
For the Central Park South option, the borrowing required to build it would be $168.9 million, which would impact property taxes at an average of $240 per residence for 20 years.
Residents can vote at Crystal Gardens, Central Middle School, George Jay Elementary School, Glenlyon Norfolk School, James Bay Community School, Margaret Jenkins Elementary School, Oaklands Elementary School, Quadra Elementary School, Sir James Douglas Elementary School and Victoria West Elementary School.
The Crystal Garden voting place will have an accessible voting machine.
Victoria voters can request a mail ballot by completing an online form at victoria.ca/referendum, by calling 250-361-0571 or by going to city hall in person from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. by Friday, Jan. 31. For more information, visit victoria.ca/referendum.
