Summerland Recreation Centre Referendum

INTRODUCTION

On November 4, 2023, eligible voters in Summerland participated in a referendum for the proposed Summerland Recreation Centre – a new multi-purpose recreation facility which was intended to replace the Summerland Aquatic & Fitness Centre.

A final determination of the results of the referendum was conducted by the Chief Election Officer on November 8, 2023, which confirmed that 4625 votes were cast, with 2682 votes (58%) against the referendum question, meaning the District will not proceed with borrowing up to $50 million to construct a new Summerland Recreation Centre.

In the coming months, Council will have discussions on next steps related to recreation services in Summerland. For more information and updates on those discussions, please visit the District of Summerland website at www.summerland.ca/recreationcentre.

INTRODUCTION

Media release: Official results: Summerland Recreation Centre Referendum

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A final determination of Summerland’s Recreation Centre Referendum was conducted by the Chief Election Officer on November 8, 2023, which confirmed the preliminary results reported on General Voting Day. The Chief Election Officer has confirmed that 4625 votes were cast in the referendum, with 2682 votes (58%) against the referendum question, meaning the District will not proceed with borrowing of $50 million to construct a new Summerland Recreation Centre.
The facility will remain in its current size and configuration and the same type and number of aquatic programs that are offered today will continue, with any potential future capital investments being decided by Council.
“It was encouraging to see so many people engaged in the referendum process and exercise their democratic right to vote, either for or against, based on their vision for the future of the community,” said Mayor Doug Holmes. “In the coming months, Council will have discussions on next steps and how we can keep the community involved as we work together to determine what the future of recreation looks like in Summerland.”
The Declaration of Official Results can be found here: https://www.summerland.ca/your-city-hall/elections/2023-recreation-centre-referendum/2023-recreation-centre-referendum-results
The District of Summerland thanks everyone for participating in the Summerland Recreation Centre Referendum process.
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Media release: Unofficial results: Summerland Recreation Centre Referendum

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Unofficial results from ballots cast in the 2023 Summerland Recreation Centre Referendum are as follows:

In response to

referendum question

Number of

votes

YES

1943

NO

2682

A total of 4625 votes were cast.
The unofficial results are based on the ballot accounts prepared from each voting opportunity and are subject to determination of official referendum results by the Chief Election Officer. These results will be confirmed no later than 4:00 PM on Wednesday, November 8, 2023.
The District of Summerland thanks everyone for participating in the referendum.
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Question of the week - updated weekly

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The District has been collecting frequently asked questions regarding the proposed Summerland Recreation Centre and the referendum process. Answers to these questions are available in the Frequently Asked Questions section of this webpage, but we are also providing the information on the District's Facebook page each week with a "Question of the week." As the social media posts are shared, they will also be added to the News Feed section of this webpage.
Want to find us on social media? You can follow the District of Summerland on Facebook using the handle @SummerlandBC.
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Question of the week - October 30
Q: How do I know if I am eligible to vote in the referendum?

A: You can vote in a referendum in Summerland if you meet all the following criteria.
A RESIDENT elector must:
- be 18 years of age or older on general voting day (November 4, 2023);
- be a Canadian citizen;
- have been a resident of British Columbia for at least six (6) months immediately before the day of registration (at the time of voting);
- be a resident of the District of Summerland (at the time of voting); and
- not be disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in a local election or assent voting and not otherwise disqualified by law.
NON-RESIDENT PROPERTY OWNERS:

You must provide proof of ownership of the property* for which you are voting and you meet all of the following requirements. A non-resident property elector must:
- be 18 years of age or older on general voting day (November 4, 2023);
- be a Canadian citizen;
- have been a resident of British Columbia for at least six (6) months immediately before the day of registration (at the time of voting);
- be a registered owner of real property in the District of Summerland for at least 30 days immediately before the day of registration (at the time of voting);
- not be entitled to register as a resident elector; and not be disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in a local election or assent voting and not otherwise disqualified by law.
*Note: If more than one person is registered own of the property, only one of those individuals may, with written consent of the majority of owners, register as a non-resident property elector.

The only persons who are registered owners of the property, either as joint tenants or tenants in common, are individuals who are not holding the property in trust for a corporation or another trust.

Question of the week - October 23

Q: What is the question that will be asked on the referendum ballot?

A: Voters will be asked: “Do you support the Corporation of the District of Summerland borrowing up to $50 million with interest, over a period not exceeding 30 years in order to finance the construction of a new recreation centre to be located at 8820 Jubilee Road E., by way of Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 2023-016?”

Question of the week - October 16

Q: What types of aquatic facilities do other BC communities of similar size to Summerland have?

A: In response to community questions about aquatic facilities in other BC communities that are of similar size to Summerland’s population, the District has pulled together a comparison chart. A link to this chart can be found here.

Question of the week - October 9
Q: What happens if electors vote in favour of the referendum question? What happens if electors vote against the referendum question?

A: If electors vote in favour of the question, a detailed design is expected to begin immediately for the new Recreation Centre; construction would begin in 2025 and the facility would have an anticipated opening in 2026.

If electors vote against the question, issues from aging infrastructure will be addressed as best as reasonably possible when they arise; however, it is fully expected the cost to maintain the current facility will continue to rise, components of the facility will eventually fail beyond repair and the facility will have to close permanently.

The Summerland Aquatic & Fitness Centre will remain in its current size and configuration and there will be no ability to expand aquatic programming capacity.

Council would need to consider its options but without a replacement facility, Summerland could eventually be left without an aquatic and recreation facility, ending school programs, swim lessons, competitive teams, rehabilitation, and aquatic fitness programs for residents of all ages.

Question of the week - October 2
Q: If electors vote in favour of the referendum question, what is the financial impact for taxpayers?

A: If electors vote 'yes', Council has directed the District to pay debt servicing costs through a leveled 50% parcel tax and 50% property taxation increase.

In order to achieve the appropriate level of new taxation, four consecutive years of property tax increases will be required, for the purpose of financing the detailed design and construction of the Recreation Centre project.

Based on the District’s borrowing rate (as of June 19, 2023), the following taxation increases would be required to cover 50% of the estimated debt:
- 2024: 3.76% property tax increase
- 2025: 3.77% property tax increase
- 2026: 3.77% property tax increase
- 2027: 3.76% property tax increase
NOTE: Should interest rates change during any of the four estimated debt draws during construction, the projected property tax rate increases would need to be adjusted to ensure the appropriate amount is collected through taxation to cover the actual debt payments. After 2027, no additional parcel or property tax increases for this capital project are anticipated.

The other half of the debt would be covered through a leveled parcel tax.

Question of the week - September 25

Q: Can the current Summerland Aquatic & Fitness Centre be renovated and expanded to include the proposed new amenities?

A: All major building mechanical, electrical and pool systems of the current facility have exceeded their expected usable life. Most of the building envelope is in poor condition with significant air and water leakage and potential for mold.

The facility is consuming 86% more energy per unit of floor area than the average swimming pool, and it's becoming increasingly difficult to source facility replacement parts due to antiquated electrical, plumbing and pool systems.

The current facility sits on land owned by School District 67 and expansion to the site would be extremely challenging and very limited.

Question of the week - September 18

Q: What environmental standard would be used to construct the proposed Recreation Centre?

A: The proposed Recreation Centre would be built to modern and efficient construction standards (LEED Silver). However, the District has applied for a $25M grant for this project. If successful, the Recreation Centre could be built as a net-zero carbon facility.

Question of the week - September 11
Q: What’s included in the proposed Summerland Recreation Centre?
A: The proposed Recreation Centre includes:
- a 6-lane, 25m lap pool; leisure pool; hot tub; steam or sauna room
- modern universal access change rooms
- a fitness centre
- two multi-purpose rooms (fitness and youth/family)
- lobby; pool viewing; reception; and admin offices
- energy efficient to LEED Silver standard
Question of the week - September 4
Q: Why is the District of Summerland holding a referendum?

A: The Province of B.C. requires public approval of long-term borrowing. The District is asking the public to approve borrowing up to $50M for detailed design and construction of a new multi-purpose recreation centre, to include a new aquatic centre, fitness centre, universal change rooms, and two multi-purpose rooms.
Did You Know? - updated weekly

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The District has been collecting frequently asked questions regarding the proposed Summerland Recreation Centre and the referendum process. Answers to these questions are available in the Frequently Asked Questions section of this webpage, but we are also providing the information on the District's Facebook page each week with a "Did You Know?" post. As the social media posts are shared, they will also be added to the News Feed section of this webpage.
Want to find us on social media? You can follow the District of Summerland on Facebook using the handle @SummerlandBC.
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Did You Know? - October 25
If you are eligible to vote in the Summerland Recreation Centre Referendum, but will be out of town or unavailable on General Voting Day (November 4), there are 2 other opportunities for you to participate!
- Wednesday, October 25, 2023 (Today) | 8 am – 8 pm
- Tuesday, October 31, 2023 | 8 am – 8 pm
Advance and General Voting will take place at the Summerland Arena Banquet Room (8820 Jubilee Rd E).

Did You Know? - October 18
The District of Summerland has applied for a grant of up to $25M through the Green & Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program, to enable the construction of a net-zero carbon recreation centre, if Summerland electors vote in favour of the referendum question.

Developing a net-zero building would mean an overall increase in project cost, but receiving the $25M grant would significantly reduce the amount of borrowing required for the project, and reduce the impact to taxpayers. This is why the referendum question is asking if electors are in favour of the District borrowing “up to $50 million."

If the grant is unsuccessful, but electors vote in favour of the referendum question, the facility will still be built to modern energy efficiency standards (minimum LEED Silver).

The timing of the grant announcements for the GICB program is unknown at this time.

Did You Know? - October 11
Summerland’s population has nearly doubled since the original Summerland Aquatic & Fitness Centre was constructed in 1976. The lap pool and hot tub area have remained relatively unchanged, while the fitness centre had an expansion in 1996.

Based on extensive public consultation over the last six years, the community is now calling for a larger multi-purpose recreation facility that includes expanded aquatics (i.e., a leisure pool) and more dryland spaces with better accessibility features.

That’s why the proposed facility includes a more accessible lap pool, a new leisure pool, a fitness centre, universal access change spaces, and two multi-purpose rooms that can be used for fitness activities and youth/family activities and programming.

Did You Know? - October 4
The proposed Summerland Recreation Centre includes a new and expanded aquatic centre to serve Summerland’s growing population (which has nearly doubled since the original facility was built in 1976) and to address a number of restrictive issues faced by the current facility.
The proposed facility includes:
- a 25m x 6-lane lap pool constructed to meet FINA standards
- a leisure pool
- hot tub
- a sauna or steam room
- universal access change spaces
- energy efficient to LEED Silver standard
By adding a leisure pool to the aquatic centre (which the current facility does not have), the proposed facility would have additional capacity to better meet community demand for swim lessons, leisure swim time, aqua therapy sessions, and other aquatic programming opportunities.
Did You Know? - September 27
If Summerland voters vote in favour of the referendum question on November 4, the proposed facility will be built adjacent to the Summerland Arena & Curling Club (at 8820 Jubilee Road E).
The strengths of this site were identified as:
- Avoiding a shutdown of the existing facility to construct a new one
- Accommodating parking development without structured parking
- Ability to create a sports "complex" for residents"
- Ability to accommodate childcare in future phases
Additionally, the District can realize cost savings and increased energy efficiencies by taking advantage of heat recapture technology; harvesting surplus heat from the arena to assist in heating the Recreation Centre.
Did You Know? - September 20

The proposed Recreation Centre is approximately 60% larger than the current Summerland Aquatic & Fitness Centre. This is because Summerland’s population has nearly doubled since the original aquatic centre was built in 1976, and the community has called for additional amenities that cannot fit within the current facility’s footprint.

The additional amenities include: a new leisure pool; universal access change rooms; a multi-purpose fitness/activity room; and a multi-purpose youth/family room.

Did You Know? - September 13

In 2022, the Summerland Aquatic Centre hosted 884 school swim participants, including 687 students from Summerland, 99 from Penticton, and 58 from Outma Sqilx’w.
Did You Know? - September 6
Summerland’s Aquatic Centre is used by all 4 of Summerland’s schools for learn to swim programs, recreational swimming, and specialized private lessons for children with special needs. Some Penticton schools also use the Summerland facility for these types of programs, due to limited capacity at the Penticton Pool.
Did You Know? - August 30

The Summerland Aquatic & Fitness Centre is at end of life. Based on a 2018 Facility Condition Assessment, all the major building mechanical, electrical and pool systems have exceeded their expected usable life. The facility is consuming approx. 86% more energy per unit of floor area than the average swimming pool, and most of the building envelope is in poor condition with significant air and water leakage.

Based on public input that was received during the development of the 2018 Parks & Recreation Master Plan, the community indicated replacing the current facility was one of the highest priorities for residents. That’s why Summerland is going to referendum to vote on whether to borrow funds to construct a new multi-purpose Recreation Centre.
Media release: Advance Vote turnout for October 31

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The second of two Advance Voting days for Summerland’s Recreation Centre Referendum took place at the Summerland Arena Banquet Room yesterday.

The first advance voting day 1,393 voters attended the polls and the second advance voting day 933 voters attended the polls. Additionally, 38 voters cast their ballot in a special voting opportunity held on October 27. A total of 2,364 electors have cast their ballot in the 2023 Recreation Centre Referendum to date.

General Voting Day is Saturday, November 4, 2023, between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. at the Summerland Arena Banquet Room.

For information on eligibility for voting, a list of acceptable identification to vote, and information regarding the proposed Summerland Recreation Centre project, visit www.summerland.ca/recreationcentre.

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Media release: Advance Vote turnout for October 25

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The first of two Advance Voting days for Summerland’s Recreation Centre Referendum took place at the Summerland Arena Banquet Room yesterday. One more advance voting opportunity is available for eligible voters on Tuesday, October 31, between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. at the Summerland Arena Banquet Room (8820 Jubilee Rd E).

The first day saw 1393 voters attend the polls.

General Voting Day is Saturday, November 4, 2023, between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. at the Summerland Arena Banquet Room.

For information on eligibility for voting, a list of acceptable identification to vote, and information regarding the proposed Summerland Recreation Centre project, visit www.summerland.ca/recreationcentre.

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Media release: Key dates and voter eligibility

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23 Oct 2023
On November 4, 2023, eligible voters in Summerland will take part in a referendum for the Summerland Recreation Centre – a new multi-purpose indoor recreation facility. If electors vote in favour of the referendum question, the Recreation Centre will replace the Summerland Aquatic & Fitness Centre, which is at the end of its useable life.
The proposed new facility includes an aquatic centre (that features a lap pool, leisure pool, hot tub, sauna or steam room); fitness centre; fitness/activity multi-purpose room; family/youth multi-purpose room; universal access and family change rooms; and modern energy efficiency building standards (minimum LEED Silver).
Over the last several weeks, the District of Summerland has been sharing detailed project information to help voters make a well-informed decision for their own household on November 4. If you are looking for any of the information the District has distributed, you can visit www.summerland.ca/recreationcentre to find a link to an interactive webpage with all the information in one place. On that page, you can also find referendum-related videos, the 2018 Parks and Recreation Master Plan, associated studies and reports, and more.
Now it’s time to prepare for upcoming voting opportunities.
What is the referendum question that will be asked on the ballot?
Eligible Summerland voters will be asked to make an appropriate mark next to either the word “yes” or “no” on the ballot to the following question: “Do you support the Corporation of the District of Summerland borrowing up to $50 million with interest, over a period not exceeding 30 years in order to finance the construction of a new recreation centre to be located at 8820 Jubilee Road E., by way of Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 2023-016?”
When and where can I cast a ballot?
There are multiple opportunities to cast your vote for the Summerland Recreation Centre Referendum.
- General Voting Day is Saturday, November 4, 2023 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Summerland Arena Banquet Room (8820 Jubilee Rd E).
- Advance Voting days are Wednesday, October 25, 2023 and Tuesday, October 31, 2023 at the Summerland Arena Banquet Room from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. each day.
How do I know if I’m eligible to vote in the referendum?
RESIDENTS
You can vote in a referendum in Summerland if you meet all the following criteria. A resident elector must:
- be 18 years of age or older on general voting day, November 4, 2023;
- be a Canadian citizen;
- have been a resident of British Columbia for at least six (6) months immediately before the day of registration (at the time of voting);
- be a resident of the District of Summerland (at the time of voting); and,
- not be disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in a local election or assent voting and not otherwise disqualified by law.
NON-RESIDENTS
You must provide proof of ownership of the property for which you are voting and meet all of the following requirements. To register as a non-resident property elector, you must:
- be 18 years of age or older on General Voting Day, November 4, 2023;
- be a Canadian citizen;
- be a resident of British Columbia for at least six (6) months immediately before the day of registration (at the time of voting);
- be a registered owner of real property in the District of Summerland for at least 30 days immediately before the day of registration (at the time of voting);
- not be entitled to register as a resident elector; and not be disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in a local election or assent voting and not otherwise disqualified by law.
In addition, for non-resident property electors:
- The only persons who are registered owners of the property, either as joint tenants or tenants in common, are individuals who are not holding the property in trust for a corporation or another trust.
- If more than one person is registered owner of the property, only one of those individuals may, with the written consent of the majority of the owners, register as a non-resident property elector.
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Media release: Next steps depending on outcome of community vote

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20 Oct 2023
On November 4, 2023, eligible voters in Summerland (including residents and non-resident property owners) will take part in a referendum for the Summerland Recreation Centre – a new multi-purpose indoor recreation facility. If approved, it will replace the Summerland Aquatic & Fitness Centre, which is at the end of its useable life.
The proposed new facility includes an aquatic centre (that features a lap pool, leisure pool, hot tub, sauna or steam room); fitness centre; fitness/activity multi-purpose room; family/youth multi-purpose room; universal access and family change rooms; and modern energy efficiency building standards (minimum LEED Silver).
To help voters make a well-informed decision, the District of Summerland is offering detailed information about the project and the referendum process through a series of weekly media releases with frequently asked questions, leading up to General Voting Day on November 4.
What is the referendum question that will be asked on the ballot?
Eligible Summerland voters will be asked to make an appropriate mark next to either the word “yes” or “no” on the ballot to the following question: “Do you support the Corporation of the District of Summerland borrowing up to $50 million with interest, over a period not exceeding 30 years in order to finance the construction of a new recreation centre to be located at 8820 Jubilee Road E., by way of Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 2023-016?”
What will happen if electors vote in favour of the referendum question?
If electors vote in favour of the referendum question, detailed design is expected to begin immediately for a new multi-purpose recreation centre, to include a new aquatic centre, fitness centre, universal change rooms, and two multi-purpose rooms. Construction is expected to begin in 2025, and is anticipated to be complete in 2026. The proposed facility will be built adjacent to the Summerland Arena & Curling Club.
The District will need to continue conversations with School District 67 about what to do with the current Aquatic & Fitness Centre and the property on which it sits. The property is owned by the School District.
What will happen if electors vote against the referendum question?
If electors vote against the referendum question, issues from aging infrastructure will be addressed as best as reasonably possible when they arise.
In the meantime, the Summerland Aquatic & Fitness Centre will remain in its current size and configuration. The same type and number of aquatic programs that are offered today will continue so long as the facility is operational, as there is no ability to expand program capacity. Basic operational repairs and maintenance would continue.
Council would need to consider its options for major capital investments and any associated tax increases to fund those investments, but without major capital investment Summerland could eventually be left without an aquatic and recreation facility, ending school programs, swim lessons, competitive teams, rehabilitation, and aquatic fitness programs for residents of all ages.
For more information on the proposed Summerland Recreation Centre project, updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document, and the upcoming referendum, please visit www.summerland.ca/recreationcentre.
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Media release: Community-wide considerations

On November 4, 2023, eligible voters in Summerland will take part in a referendum for a new multi-purpose indoor recreation centre. If electors vote in favour of the referendum question, the new facility will replace the Summerland Aquatic & Fitness Centre, which is at the end of its useable life.

The proposed new facility includes an aquatic centre, fitness centre, fitness/activity multi-purpose room, family/youth multi-purpose room, universal access and family change rooms, and modern energy efficiency building standards (minimum LEED Silver).

“Over the last six weeks, we’ve been talking about the details of a proposed new Recreation Centre project and the decision voters will need to make next month,” said Mayor Doug Holmes. “We’ve talked about what, where, and why a new facility is being proposed and how the capital project would be funded. We’ve discussed the challenges our community is facing related to aging infrastructure and limited program capacity, as well as the proposed solutions to those challenges.”

“We also need to look at this project from a social perspective and have a broader discussion of what we – as a community – want recreation to look like in Summerland going forward. Personally, I see this as more than a referendum on a recreation centre – it’s a referendum on the future of our community and what kind of community we want to be.”

How do physical activity and local recreation amenities affect a community?

Extensive research has shown that physical activity can improve the physical, emotional, economic and social well- being of a community. According to BC Healthy Communities, physical activity can aid in healthy child development, social connectedness, positive educational outcomes, increased workplace productivity, and decreased demands on healthcare and social services.

Further, a report on Recreation in Canada in 2015 by the Interprovincial Sport and Recreation Council and the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association indicates the majority of Canadians believe parks and recreation improve health, boost social cohesion, and are a major factor in crime reduction.

“For many people, swimming pools and recreation facilities are considered community hubs and they’re recognized as providing much more than just physical benefits. They help bring people together, provide a place of belonging and sense of community, as well as offer resources for a variety of programs and services to meet residents’ needs,” said Mayor Holmes. “This is something we need to consider when we talk about investing in recreation amenities.”

The 2018 Parks and Recreation Master Plan began the conversation about replacing the Aquatic & Fitness Centre. Since then, the District has been seeking public input to help Council better understand how Summerland residents value recreation and various types of amenities. Based on the results of that input, a new, larger facility has been proposed that includes the core amenities requested by the community to increase programming and participation capacities and serve Summerland for the next 50 years.

How did we get to a referendum on this project?

Summerland’s population has nearly doubled since the Aquatic & Fitness Centre was constructed almost 50 years ago and most recreation programs are regularly full with long waitlists. Based on that information, the results of the 2018 Facility Condition Assessment, as well as public input received for the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and the 2021 Needs Assessment, conceptual plans for a new Recreation Centre were developed, and through a Feasibility Site Fit Study, residents indicated a preferred location for a new facility. Eventually, that led Council to send the project to referendum.

“We know the Aquatic & Fitness Centre is experiencing significant and ongoing issues and is at risk of failure, but we also know sport, fitness, recreation and wellness are important to many Summerland residents, so that’s why Council chose to hold the referendum – to provide a clear and distinct opportunity for the community to choose what we do next,” said Mayor Holmes.

What statistics are available for current users of the Summerland Aquatic and Fitness Centre?

As of September 2023, the number of registered recreation members in the Recreation Department database is 12,159 of which 70% are Summerland residents. These are people who are registered for a recreation or aquatic program, purchase a pass, or book a recreation facility or park.

The database does not include individuals who pay drop-in fees when they attend the pool or fitness room as they are not required to register. Nor does it include individuals who participate in user group programs such as Recope, ORCA Swim Club, ORCA Masters Swim Club, etc.

The following is a breakdown of statistics related to facility usage in 2022:

1,618 Red Cross swim lesson registrations
1,573 recreation program registrations
4,974 Recope visits (aquatic rehabilitation program)
112 Orca Swim Club members

Summerland’s Aquatic & Fitness Centre is also used by all four of Summerland’s schools for learn-to-swim programs, recreational swimming, and focused private lessons for children with special needs. Some Penticton schools also use the Summerland facility for these types of programs, due to limited capacity at the Penticton pool.

In 2022, the Summerland Aquatic Centre hosted 884 school swim participants, including 687 students from Summerland, 99 from Penticton, and 58 from the Outma Sqilx’w Cultural School on the PIB Reserve.

What types of aquatic facilities do other BC communities of similar size have available?

The following table provides examples of indoor 5,000 and 15,000.

Community	Population (2021)*	Main pool basin	Additional pool basin and amenities
Duncan	5,047	8 x 25m	8x25 m warm up/wave pool, twin waterslides, 1 & 3m diving boards, lazy river, swirl pool, sauna, steam room
Smithers	5,378	4 x 25m	Leisure pool, water features, shallow & warm tot pool, hot tub, sauna
Creston	5,583	5 x 25m	Leisure pool, lazy river, spray features, climbing wall, hot tub
Fernie	6,320	6 x 25m	Leisure pool, hot tub, steam room
Merritt	7,051	6 x 25m	Leisure pool, lazy river and vortex, tots pool & spray features, 2 hot tubs, sauna
Revelstoke	8,275	6 x 25m	Leisure pool, lazy river, diving board, waterslide, climbing wall, hot tub, sauna and steam room
Castlegar	8,338	6 x 25m	Leisure pool, hot tub, steam room
Ladysmith	8,990	4 x 25m	Leisure pool, hot tub, sauna and steam room
Qualicum Beach	9,303	6 x 25m	Leisure pool (zero depth), hot tub, steam room and sauna
Quesnel	9,889	6 x 25m	Leisure pool, 1m diving board, waterslide, rope swing, hot tub, family sauna and adult sauna
Sechelt	10,827	6 x 25m	Leisure pool, lazy river, waterslide, rope swing, climbing wall and diving boards
Williams Lake	10,947	6 x 25m	Leisure pool, waterslide, lazy river, tots area, hot swirl pool, sauna and steam room
Nelson	11,106	6 x 25m	Leisure pool, hot tub, sauna and steam room
Terrace	12,017	6 x 25m	Warm pool, hot tub, sauna and steam room
Summerland	12,042	6 x 25m	Hot tub, sauna (no secondary pool basin/leisure pool)
Prince Rupert	12,300	6 x 25m	Diving pool and tot pool connected to main pool, hot tub, sauna
Dawson Creek	12,323	8 x 25m	Leisure pool, tots pool, waterslide, lazy river, 1 & 3m diving boards, hot tub, sauna and steam room
Powell River	13,943	6 x 25m	Shallow water leisure pool, swirl pool, sauna
Sooke	15,086	6 x 25m	Leisure pool, swirl pool, sauna

*2021 population statistics from Ministry of Municipal Affairs

Visit this link for more information on a BC Pool Comparison chart.

For more information on the proposed Summerland Recreation Centre project and the upcoming referendum, please visit www.summerland.ca/recreationcentre.

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Media release: Join us for a public open house TOMORROW

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The District of Summerland is preparing for the Summerland Recreation Centre Referendum on November 4, 2023. At that time, eligible voters in Summerland will decide whether they are in favour of the District borrowing up to $50 million to develop the proposed multi-purpose recreation facility to replace the current Summerland Aquatic & Fitness Centre.

To help voters make a well-informed decision, District staff are hosting a public Open House tomorrow (Wednesday). The intention is to give members of the public an opportunity to talk directly with District staff, learn about the project, ask questions, and get answers in real time.

Information regarding voter eligibility and voting dates, times, and locations will also be available at the information sessions. Both the Open House and Public Information Drop-Ins are open to the public with no registration required, drop-in at any time within the allocated times.

OPEN HOUSE
- Date: Wednesday, October 11, 2023
- Time: 4 - 7 pm
- Location: Summerland Arena Banquet Room (8820 Jubilee Rd E)
Other upcoming in-person information sessions
- October 18 Public Information Drop-In: Aquatic & Fitness Centre 3 - 5 pm
- October 19 Public Information Drop-In: Aquatic & Fitness Centre 9 - 11 am
If a community group would like a Recreation Centre Referendum information presentation (in-person or via Zoom), please make a request by emailing recreation@summerland.ca or calling the Summerland Aquatic & Fitness Centre at 250-494-0447.

Information about the proposed Summerland Recreation Centre and the upcoming referendum can also be found online anytime, including a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions (FAQs), videos, facility studies and reports, Council reports, and more. Visit www.summerland.ca/recreationcentre to find a link to the interactive webpage today.

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