It was a day of smiles, cheers and celebrating co-operation at the ground-breaking of Sechelt's new aquatic centre Tuesday, April 25.
"What we're seeing here is an effort of co-operation and working together," Sechelt Mayor Cam Reid said to a crowd of about 40 people gathered for the ground-breaking of the pool, which sits between the Sechelt Public Library and the RCMP station. "Sechelt could not do this ourselves, no one area could. But through the efforts of the regional district, the communities on the Coast and all the different interest groups, we were able to put together a mechanism that would allow this facility and the facility in Gibsons to be built. It's taken a lot of time, a lot of meetings and a lot of compromise, and we now have something that we're going to be very, very proud of. So I'd like to express our thanks to all those people who have worked very hard, all of their effort and their willingness to co-operate and come together on this in this manner that has brought us to today."
There were representatives from every level of government at the ground-breaking showing their support and recognizing that working together for recreation has been a battle long fought on the Coast.
"It's been about 30 years since the first failed recreation referendum on the Coast, and some of us have been trying to get everyone on board since then," said an excited Ann Kershaw, chair of the Aquatic Centre Advisory Committee. "I can't believe this day is finally here."
Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) chair John Rees recognized Kershaw for her efforts over the years, as well as former director Celia Fisher who has "done a great deal of work in the Gibsons area along with the Gibsons Area Community Centre Society."
"They are in fact currently fundraising not only for the project in Gibsons but also for this particular project, and whatever money they're able to put together, I'm sure you'll see all the little improvements that we had to trim a little because of the budget," Rees said.
The budget for the aquatic centre is set at $10,349,200. Plans include a 25-metre, six-lane pool, therapeutic leisure pool including a lazy river, vortex, children's play area, four-lane multi-purpose warm water area and water toys. Also in the plans are a sauna, steam bath, swirl pool and one-metre diving board. Other amenities include spectator viewing, a water slide, climbing wall, fitness area and community space.
The pool will use a salt-based system to chlorinate it with an ultra-violet secondary system.
Construction Aggregates Ltd. has been a supporter of the project, having donated all the time and equipment to clear the site.
"And not only are they helping out here with the clearing, but also they're helping out the project with materials," Rees noted.
Rees thanked the staff of the regional district, District of Sechelt and Sechelt Indian Band for their co-operation, saying without the efforts of these people the pool would not have come to fruition.
"Today you are going to witness a very special occasion. There's only going to be one more important occasion for this particular project, and that will be in about 15 months time when somebody comes and cuts the ribbon - and into the pool you go," Rees said.
Sechelt Indian Band Chief Stan Dixon, Rees, Kershaw, Reid and acting Gibsons mayor Bob Curry gathered for the ground-breaking ceremony with a twist that included a "planting of the pool."
Rees dug a hole and Kershaw planted water-melon seeds before all the officials tipped watering cans above them to applause from the crowd.
The pool should be open to the public in June 2007.
