Fundraising for the future Regional Aquatic Centre is off to a solid start as 2022 draws to a close.
A variety of community events throughout the year resulted in a total of $86,942 to date.
Early this year, the provincial and federal governments provided a total of $10 million in grant funding for the future aquatic facility, which is meant to replace the Ferny Coombe Pool. The Ferny Coombe Pool – the home of the Agassiz-Harrison Aquanauts – was built in 1978 and is nearing the end of its life, with any significant structural or mechanical failure likely to be beyond repair.
The new aquatic centre is set to include a six-lane lap pool, a shallow leisure pool with a lazy river, a hot tub, a sauna and steam room, a common gathering area and changerooms. Cost for the construction of the facility is estimated at $20 million; the remainder must come from the municipalities in the area. The District of Kent has a goal of raising $1 million with a long way yet to go.
RELATED: District Council names six Regional Aquatic Centre fundraising committee
The community has supported the Regional Aquatic Centre’s construction in a number of ways. This includes sales of Agassiz merchandise, a swim-a-thon fundraiser event at the Ferny Coombe Pool, a donation from St. Anthony’s Thrift Store and a zany leaf blower race put on by the Cascade Bay cabin owners.
If you wish to donate to the ongoing project, visit kentbc.ca/RAC, call 604-796-2235 or 604-796-8891 or stop by the District of Kent Municipal Hall or Community Recreation and Cultural Centre.