As Lac La Biche County councillors try to reduce costs of what is now a $46 million aquatic centre project by re-thinking the amenities going into the facility, a local doctor is more interested in the benefits coming out of such a place.
As elected officials look at new design options on the project that began at $15 million a decade ago and now sits at more than $46 million according to the latest round of architectural plans, Dr. Tracy–Lee Lindenberg says an aquatic centre is a vital part in overall community health.
Sharing the thoughts of other physicians in the community, Lindenberg says an aquatic centre offers not only recreation and tourism potential to the overall community, but it also directly affects health and well-being on a person-by-person basis.
“We do feel that it is going to be a big benefit to us in the health interests of our community,” said the doctor who has been practicing in the Lac La Biche community for six years.
Aquatic exercise or hydrotherapy is a great way for anyone to enjoy-low impact aerobic exercise or to mitigate certain health issues, she said.
“It is well-known that hydrotherapy or aquatic exercise is more beneficial and less stressful to patients’ hearts … due to the low impact … as opposed to on land,” Lindenberg said.
Conditions like autism, degenerative joint disease, multiple sclerosis, behavioural disorders, and even migraine treatment can involve hydrotherapy treatment, the physician explained.
“There are lots of studies that show the benefits of aquatic exercise or hydrotherapy in these illnesses,” she said, adding that patients waiting for joint replacement surgeries can use pool exercises to reduce pain and meet surgical requirements. “Lots are waiting two to three years for joint replacement … and told to lose weight for surgery — but how do you exercise if you are in pain?”
Aside from the health benefits, the physician said a new pool is also just a nice thing to have in the community.
“As a mom and a community member, I would like it too. We like going to neighbouring communities to visit their pools, so it would be nice to have it in our own community.”
The Lac La Biche region is currently served by the 35-year-old Portage Pool, but planning has been in place for the last decade to build a new aquatic centre at the Bold Center recreation facility. Design plans have included a lazy river, a six-lane, 25 metre pool, a smaller wading pool, water slides, a hot tub area, steam rooms and multipurpose space. In 2016, the estimated cost of a new pool was pegged at $15 million. By 2019, that price had increased to $27 million. In April, councillors approved a budget increase to $39 million for the project. In July, the latest design plan estimated a project cost of up to $46 million.
When the project was at the $27 million mark, provincial and federal funding was approved to cover $15 million of the costs.
Since receiving the latest costs and design plans councillors and administration have been working with designers to fine-tune the project, reduce costs and features, all while continuing to work towards the construction timeline that municipal literature says will see construction starting in October, with the facility opening in the fall of 2025.
Lac La Biche County councillor John Mondal says the on-going discussions are part of the process. He says the project continues to move forward, despite the recent cost increases.
“As for my understanding, the project is a go. What we are debating right now is the amenities – what do we want inside? That is the only discussion we are having. The project is a go. We will get it.”
