Vanderhoof’s pool is now another $100,000 closer to town, thanks to recent donations from TransCanada and the Nak’azdli First Nation last week.
On Feb. 12, representatives of the company’s Coastal GasLink Pipeline Project announced its $50,000 donation to the Vanderhoof Aquatic Centre at the District of Vanderhoof office.
Earlier last week, the Nak’azdli First Nation also contributed $50,000 to the Vanderhoof Pool Society’s $500,000 fundraising goal.
Including recent four-digit donations from various community members, the society has now raised $450,000.
“We’re pleased to be able to invest in this important leisure and recreation facility, that will support Vanderhoof’s healthy, active community,” said Greg Cano, project planning and execution director of the Coastal GasLink Pipeline Project.
The proposed 670-kilometre natural gas pipeline will extend from the Groundbirch area near Dawson Creek to the proposed LNG Canada liquified natural gas export facility near Kitimat.
For the proposed pipeline that would pass 10 kilometres north of Vanderhoof, TransCanada is also discussing a potential self-sufficient camp for its construction by Vanderhoof’s airport, though no activity for the project may come to town until 2017, states Kiel Giddens, the project liaison for land, community, and aboriginal relations.
The $12-million aquatic centre will include a 25-metre pool, a warm water leisure pool, hot tub, as well as universal dressing rooms.
“Our community has always sensed that an aquatic centre would be great for attracting new families to our region. This recreation facility will be an asset for youth, seniors and families,” said Vanderhoof Mayor Gerry Thiessen. “This support from Coastal GasLink will go a long way, in not only allowing us to realize our vision, but will leave a legacy for generations to come.”
Last December, the District of Vanderhoof received $100,000 from the Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund Society to go towards the aquatic centre’s design — the cost of which totals $473,752.
The remaining amount for the design would come from the district’s pool reserve, set aside in 2015’s budget. Including engineering and architectural work, designing the pool will be a year-long process, including community consultation, said CAO Tom Clement.
Current funds committed to the Vanderhoof Aquatic Centre so far:
Referendum $4,000,000
RDBN Area “F” $500,000
RDBN Area “D” $200,000
DoV (Gas Tax) $700,000
Northern Development $250,000
TransCanada $50,000
Pool Society $450,000
Total: $6,150,000