Aquarena gets reprieve amid city penny-pinching

Under public pressure, the City of St. John's has found enough money to retain its annual grant to the Aquarena.

Council had been considering cutting the $150,000 grant to the swimming and fitness centre which it turned over to a Memorial University-affiliated board several years ago as part of a cost-cutting exercise.

Council's finance committee has finished its recommendations on covering a $6-million shortfall. The package to be presented to the full council next week includes retaining the Aquarena grant.

"[I'm] very pleased that council reviewed the situation and heard the wonderful outburst of public support," Coun. Sandy Hickman, the city's representative on the board that governs the Aquarena and the rest of a recreation complex called the Works, said Monday.

"There have been dozens and dozens of e-mails and phone calls."

Although managed by the university, the Aquarena is used broadly by people in many age groups. Councillors came under criticism for abandoning a grant that Aquarena representatives said was a recreation bargain.

Council has already set tax rates for next year, with a freeze on property taxes. Water fees, however, will go up.

To balance its books, council is putting a hiring freeze on some positions and will seek cost-sharing deals with the Newfoundland and Labrador government on a number of capital works projects.

Deputy Mayor Dennis O'Keefe, who chairs the finance committee, said public services will not be significantly affected.

"For the most part, the average citizens in St. John's won't even notice any reductions," O'Keefe said.