Outdoor pool demolition under way
Crews knock down building, break up concrete
Dozens of people took to Facebook on Tuesday to comment on the start of demolition of the outdoor swimming pool on Ranney Street North. Many others stopped by in person to shake their heads and say goodbye to an important slice of Campbellford’s history.
Crews that have been rebuilding the street and installing new sewer and water pipes, turned their attention to smashing the changerooms and breaking up the pool deck.
Peter Burnett, Director of Community Services, for Trent Hills said in an interview that the site will be leveled and the pool filled in.
“It wasn’t safe with the pool there so we will fill it in and create more open space,” he said.
Plans are under way to install new playground equipment at the site. The old swings were unsafe and were removed.
The future of the park, which is a downtown jewel, is undecided and unfunded. Perhaps the town should hold a contest to get ideas about how the community should use this prime spot. Or perhaps it will be an election issue in 2026.
Swimming should begin in November at the Sunny Life centre once the YMCA has had time to install its machinery and get organized.
Council applies for two Ontario grants
Trent Hills council decided Tuesday to apply for two provincial grants -- $150,000 to repair the roof of the Warkworth Arena and $2.7 million to install new sewers and water supply on Front Street west in Hastings.
The irony is that the $150,000 grant is more needed.
The arena roof is leaking and needs to be repaired now, Peter Burnett, Director of Community Services, told council.
Burnett said his department has some money in reserves but not enough to cover the entire $300,000 cost of repairs.
“It needs to be done the sooner the better, we hope we are successful,” Burnett said.
Council approved a plan to apply for $150,000 from the province, half the full cost. It hopes to get an answer early in the new year and make the repairs in the spring.
Council also agreed to apply for $2 million from a provincial program that supports improvements to water systems that encourage housing. The municipality will pay $748,000 for the project. But actually, developers of three properties that will be served by the improved services have agreed to pay the full cost, including the municipal share, if the grant application is not successful, council was told.
A report said the municipality considered applying for a grant to cover the $2.3 million cost of repairs to Tanner Drive, Ibey Court, and Gair Street, but concluded that it did not qualify for this program since it doesn’t support growth or enable new development.
Council also approved a plan to borrow $6.4 million from RBC to cover the $25 million cost of the Sunny Life Recreation & Wellness Centre. My earlier story has more details on the sources of funding.
The cost of the loan will be paid by a $550,000 annual expenditure for recreation developments that has been in the budget for many years, said Lynn Phillips, Chief Administrative Officer, so there will be no increase in taxes to cover the expense.
She noted that the municipality plans to draw about $8.6 million from development charges, but that amount will be reduced by any additional provincial grants and as the Community Foundation of Campbellford/Seymour and Northumberland pays the rest of its commitment under the Flourish campaign. The foundation has promised $1.5 million over 10 years and has so far paid $900,000.
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This is heartbreaking I am absolutely gutted 😭