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Ponoka field house brings best bang for dollars

Spending money on a Ponoka field house rather than a swimming pool will give the town the best bang for its dollars, suggests a new report.
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A change in the town's recreation plans would see a new indoor field house as opposed to leisure pool

Spending money on a field house rather than a swimming pool will give the town the best bang for its dollars, suggests a new report.

Originally presented and approved in priniciple at Town of Ponoka council Feb. 28, the 42-page report is presented by DIALOG and RC Strategies + PERC and recommends the construction of a field house rather than a leisure pool, which was first proposed by McElhanney Consulting. The town made a switch to its consultants last year and this new document takes a pragmatic approach to the costs and proposes two main phases, and two later phases, to enhance recreation in Ponoka. It should be noted the third phase is for a new pool and the fourth, for a community centre, are recommended being pursued in the future.

The goal of this report and proposal is to have a shovel ready plan in the event that a government grant will be able to help start the process.

PHASE 1

- Development of a field house (just south of the current arena) with rubberized floor and a second level walking/jogging track, plus revitalizing the lobby area to flow with the field house.

- Also to develop an indoor child playground area.

PHASE 2

- Upgrades made to the existing arena, which include a separation between the two rink spaces and enhanced spectator seating.

The estimated cost for Phase 1 and 2 is $16.64 million with the field house sitting at about $12 million of the total. The indoor child playground is another $367,000 and then $3 million estimated to upgrade the arena and another $1.27 million to upgrade the aquaplex, something DIALOG says is needed to sustain the facility.

Survey for Ponoka field house illustration

User groups and surveys

An indoor field house is the top priority.

DIALOG states that 18 community group discussion sessions were held, which included groups representing a wide array of organizations. There was also a community needs assessment conducted in 2007.

The latter assessment shows that residents wanted to see an indoor walking track, an indoor field house and an indoor fitness wellness centre, however, those plans never made it off the ground. The more recent discussions found a wide range of opinions on a new facility with some saying it will benefit the town while others feel it is unnecessary.

“The development of an indoor field house (hybrid gymnasium/ indoor flat surface space with track) was generally regarded as providing the greatest overall community benefit,” points out the report.

The business case by DIALOG explains the change to a field house from the leisure pool as McElhanney proposed: “Although this is a departure from past planning efforts of the town, this approach is more affordable for the town (as compared to proceeding with new aquatics facilities in the short term).”

Community discussions varied over a new pool, states DIALOG, adding that improvements were recommended to enhance the ambient light and replace the mechanical room at the aquaplex, while others felt a new pool would enhance residents’ quality of life. Coun. Teri Underhill responded to questions on Ponoka News’ Facebook page when last week’s story was posted. She said it’s clear the greater demand is for an indoor field house.

“Ponoka has been doing our homework for 10 years. Every poll has all had the same message field house that’s the citizens who’ve responded,” said Underhill.

DIALOG points out that a new leisure pool is estimated at $18 to $25 million Mayor Rick Bonnett estimated higher up to $27 million and recommends the town wait to build it. “The approach outlined in this document suggests that the existing aquatics facility be sustained in the short to mid-term.”

On Facebook there was some concern over not replacing the aging aquaplex first. “There is a pool,” said Underhill. “There isn’t an ability to do everything at once.”

The business case states that smaller communities need critical mass to make a new indoor pool affordable. An indoor field house would not only provide a wide variety of activities but would meet the need of informal, individual led recreation.

“Low cost, spontaneous, individual, less structured activities are becoming more popular,” states DIALOG.

Paying for the project will require several actions to ensure it becomes a reality, explains the business case: continued dialogue with regional municipalities, funding applications to senior levels of government (provincial and federal) and working with community organizations to create funding and sponsorship opportunities.

A copy of the report and a recent press release related to the four stages are available on the town website at www.ponoka.ca.