Some of the reasons to say NO to the demolition of Crystal Pool:

• With 25% tariffs coming, the Globe & Mail (Jan 30, 2025) cautions, “Now is not the time to borrow.” To demolish the pool, the City is asking to borrow over $160 million.
• Building materials, such as drywall, come mostly from the US. The cost of the project will leap once the US tariffs are put in place.
• While the City claims the new pool will cost over $200 million, a professional engineer estimates the actual cost will be “in the order of $650 million.” https://www.timescolonist.com/opinion/comment-citys-pool-information-does-not-include-risks-10083902
• HCMA Architecture and Design, who is designing the new Crystal Pool, is the same company Burnaby hired and fired because the “massive pool redevelopment” was “significantly over budget.” https://www.burnabynow.com/local-news/burnaby-fires-architect-as-massive-pool-redevelopment-significantly-over-budget-7468069
• According to the City, the average household will pay $4,600 in extra taxes for over 20 years for the new pool. The figure could actually be $9,000 over the length of the loan.
• Retrofitting is far less costly than demolishing the existing pool. A 100-year-old pool in Winnipeg was refurbished for $4.2 million. Another pool in Edmonton, the same age as Crystal Pool, was completely refurbished for $46 million. https://www.focusonvictoria.ca/commentary/103/
• Demolishing a building involves considerable environmental costs, including the extraction of resources, manufacturing of concrete and steel, transportation, demolition and disposal. https://www.focusonvictoria.ca/commentary/103/
• Refurbishing the present Crystal Pool will preserve a piece of our heritage. Built 54 years ago in 1971, the pool was designed by the late award-winning Victoria architect John Di Castri.  A significant number of operating European public pools were built 80 to 100 years ago. Why are they still in use? Because Europeans value heritage, maintenance, and refitting over demolishing.
• Neither saving nor demolishing the pool will address the wait list for swimming lessons. The problem is a result of a city-wide shortage of swimming instructors.
• Demolishing the present Crystal Pool will eliminate what a 11-year-old swimmer claim are “the best change rooms at any pool in the city.”

While previous City Council have considered retrofitting Crystal Pool, the present Council has not considered this option. We as prudent, thoughtful taxpayers must ask Council to do so by voting No to demolishment and Yes to repairing and retrofitting the present pool.

This sheet was prepared by M. Walker, a concerned home owner, retired teacher, and keen swimmer who lives in the Quadra Village.

Photo by Black Press Media