Funding for a Regional Aquatic Centre

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 2, 2022

FUNDING FOR A REGIONAL AQUATIC CENTRE

Agassiz, British Columbia

In the Fall of 2020, the District of Kent applied through the Investing in Canada’s Infrastructure (ICIP) – Community, Culture and Recreation Stream, a Federal and Provincial cost share funding program, for a 16.2 million dollar Regional Aquatic Centre.  Accompanying the District’s funding application was the written support of surrounding regional communities, including local First Nations; Seabird Island Band, Cheam, Stó:lo Tribal Council, Sts’ailes, Sq’éwlets, Skawahlook, Popkum and Peters, as well as the Village of Harrison Hot Springs and the Fraser Valley Regional District.

On Monday, April 11, 2022, on behalf of the Federal Government, the Honourable Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and the Honourable Nathan Cullen, Provincial Minister of Municipal Affairs, announced more than $110.3 million in joint federal-provincial funding for 57 community, recreation, and green infrastructure projects across British Columbia. The District of Kent was amongst the successful recipients, receiving $454,000 in Federal funding and $9.5 million in Provincial funding towards the Regional Aquatic Centre. 

Minister Nathan Cullen and MLA Kelli Paddon met with District Mayor, Sylvia Pranger and Councillor Susan Spaeti, Chair of the Parks, Recreation and Trails Committee, on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, to tour the Ferny Coombe Pool and future Aquatic Centre site.  During the visit, the proposed plans for the indoor pool were reviewed and the benefits of the project for the region were shared with positive feedback.

“I am so excited to start the work to bring a year-round aquatic centre to our community and region.  Thanks to the hard work of staff, Council and former Mayors and Councils, we can move forward with enthusiasm.”

                                                                                                         Sylvia Pranger, Mayor

"This project is so exciting for the growing area, and it was great to tour the site with Minister Cullen and Mayor Pranger. There has been a lot of dedicated work from everyone involved on this new centre, that will make such a difference here in Kent and it is certainly a highlight to see it come together. I look forward to the work - and play- to come!"

                                                                                       Kelli Paddon, MLA Chilliwack-Kent

"By investing in accessible community infrastructure, we're ensuring British Columbians in every corner of the province benefit vibrant, well-connected communities.  Projects like the Minoru Place Arts Centre in Richmond and District of Kent Aquatic Centre will improve people's health and well-being through improved access to culture and recreation, helping us build even stronger communities"                                              

        Nathan Cullen, Minister of Municipal Affairs

The future Regional Aquatic Centre will be located at Centennial Park, next to the Community Recreation and Cultural Centre and include a lap pool, leisure pool with lazy river, hot tub, sauna and steam room, common gathering area and changerooms.  The building will be constructed to meet the ICIP Shared Cost Agreement criteria, which includes meeting or exceeding the highest published environmental and accessibility standards for BC.

Fundraising for the Regional Aquatic Centre will be a priority for the District to offset the remaining capital costs of the facility.  The District will be actively engaging neighboring communities to develop financial partnerships, if possible, and community fundraising initiatives.

For more information regarding the support of our future Regional Aquatic Centre, please visit kentbc.ca/regional aquatic centre or contact Ms. Jennifer Thornton, Director of Community Services and Projects at jthornton@kentbc.ca or 604-796-2235.

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