Photo: Contributed

The Columbia Shuswap Regional District has a multi-million dollar question for residents.

A referendum question has been formulated for a new aquatic facility for the Golden area:

“Are you in favour of the Columbia Shuswap Regional District adopting Golden and Area Aquatic Centre Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 5849, 2022, which will permit the Regional District to borrow up to $18 million over a 30-year term to be utilized towards the capital cost to construct an indoor aquatic centre as an addition to the existing Golden and District Recreation Centre?”

The wording of the question and the associated loan authorization bylaw must be approved by the BC Inspector of Municipalities before it can be officially included on the ballot this fall.

The assent vote is planned in conjunction with the local government elections on Oct. 15.

The proposed Indoor Aquatic Centre facility would include a six-lane, 25-metre lap pool, a separated leisure pool, lazy river, tots’ area, hot tub, sauna, steam room, multi-purpose room and a large lobby space intended as a community hub.

The estimated cost of the facility is $35 million, with a $17 million fundraising campaign underway. The referendum will seek approval of the electors for the remaining $18 million.

The average annual costs to residential taxpayers in Electoral Area A and the Town of Golden are estimated at approximately $200 per year based on the $18 million loan. This would be a rate of approximately $0.50 to $0.60 per thousand of assessed land and improvements.

For more information about the project, or to make a financial pledge to the fundraising campaign, pgo to the Golden On Deck website.