Newly-minted councillors will have to decide Wednesday at their first official city council meeting whether to claw back a vote on the $245-million project or let it stand.
Amidst a fully packed agenda for its first meeting on Wednesday, Regina’s new city council must decide whether a reconsideration motion on the proposed indoor aquatic facility is still a high priority now that the election is complete.
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Former councillor Lori Bresciani submitted the motion at the final meeting of the previous term in hopes of taking a second look at the decision to approve a $245-million budget for the new facility.
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The motion seeks to rescind council’s approving vote in order to more thoroughly consider other options, including a refurbishment of the aging Lawson Aquatic Centre.
Council would then re-vote on granting the budget.
“I feel strongly we can get some regional economic dollars” for the facility, Bresciani said prior to the vote and during her unsuccessful campaign for mayor.
Newly-minted councillors will have to decide whether to honour the motion or have it dismissed.
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Council signed off on an updated budget in August after administration advised that inflation and scope design had caused the estimated cost to rise by $84.4 million.
A multi-level government funding agreement is in place through a federal program called Investing in Canada Infrastructure. The Government of Canada committed $43.2 million while the Government of Saskatchewan is contributing $36 million to the project. The remaining $165.9 million is the City of Regina’s responsibility.
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The new pool became a wedge issue for many candidates leading up to the municipal election on Nov. 13. Nearly all 10 councillors who were elected had indicated to the Leader-Post during the campaign period that they supported building the new pool.
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