Committee approves debt for Waverley West rec campus, while bid to save Happyland pool falls short

A City of Winnipeg committee decided the fates of two recreation facilities on Wednesday.

The community services committee voted to approve taking on $23 million in debt to cover cost increases on the construction of the South Winnipeg Recreation Campus.

Meanwhile, a bid to save the Happyland outdoor pool in St. Boniface from closure using community-raised funds fell short.

The estimated cost of the South Winnipeg Recreation Campus has jumped by $23 million since city council first approved the budget five years ago.

That left the city with three options: keep the project on hold while the city lobbies other levels of government for more money, reduce the size of the project, or take on more debt.

Waverley West Coun. Janice Lukes told the community services committee she favours the latter two options.

"We have to make a decision to continue on with this rec campus. Otherwise, costs will only continue to go up," she said.

Lukes warned the committee that reducing the scope of the project could lead to complications in future years if the city wants to expand, pointing to challenges with cost overruns and construction delays surrounding the expansion of the St. James Civic Centre.

The original estimate in 2019 pegged the cost of the South Winnipeg Recreation Campus at $71 million, but a report released last month found that costs had risen to $94 million.

Community services chair Coun. Evan Duncan (Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood), speaking during the committee, pointed out that the original funding deal with other levels of government had the city shouldering 36.8 per cent of the cost, while the federal government would cover 44.6 per cent, and 18.6 per cent would be paid by the province.

Despite that agreement, there has been no commitment of further funding to match the increased cost.

"If we're doing honest brokering here and partners in this, those percentages remain, especially with the increase. So I would ask the other levels of government to please honour that," Duncan said.

The campus will be the first regional recreation facility in Winnipeg, covering the southwest corner of the city, and is expected to serve a population of around 120,000.

Plans for the facility include three gyms, a running track, and fitness facilities.

$190K needed for Happyland pool

During the same meeting, the committee considered a proposal to use $75,000 raised by Friends of Happyland Pool to keep the facility open for one more season.

The city budget did not have any funds to operate the pool this summer.

Community members raised some of the moneyfrom three local Manitoba Mtis Federation chapters about $22,000. Another $15,000 was donated by the charity Rseau Compassion Network, and another $15,000 from the real estate developer Olexa Developments.

About $5,000 came from individuals and small businesses in the area.

"The city would have nothing to lose and much to gain by providing the community with a safe place to enjoy this summer," said Teresa Cwik, with the South St. Boniface Residents' Association, speaking to the committee.

St. Boniface Coun. Matt Allard had raised a motion at the Riel Community Committee last week to accept the money from the community group.

On Wednesday, the community services committee voted to take no action on Allard's motion.

Department staff told the committee the pool would need $190,000 to fully fund operations for a single season.

It's not clear what will happen with the funds raised by the group. A request for comment did not receive an immediate response.

Allard, speaking to reporters, said he has started looking for funding for a new aquatic facility in St. Boniface.

Demolition of Happyland pool is expected to begin later this year or early next year.

The funding motionsfor the South Winnipeg Recreation Campus and Happyland pool will move on to executive policy committee and then to council for a final vote.