The loan By-law for $1 264 700 to renovate a swimming pool and construct a water park was struck down May 31 in Ormstown.
Altogether, 334 signatures were gathered during a referendum vote, which was 12 more than the minimum required to reject the loan by-law.
The effect on taxes would have been $36 per year over 20 years for a property evaluated at $150 000.
The Ormstown municipal council, however, could opt for a referendum and, according to interim Director General Jocelyne Madore, that appears to be their wish. « It’s possible that there will be changes to the loan By-law in order to reduce costs, » she said. « It was important to know whether the residents wanted a pool and it seems that they do. »
The estimate for holding a referendum is around $5000. If one is held, it must be within 100 days of unveiling the results of the public consultation. It therefore must be held between now and the end of August.
It should be noted that the municipal swimming pool has been closed since 2009. Various applications for grants have been submitted over the years for both indoor and outdoor projects.
The current project would offer a public swimming pool and water park from mid-May. Swimming lessons for children, classes for life guards or aqua-fitness could also be part of what the pool has to offer.
History of the municipal pool
1971: Constructed at a cost of approximately $40 000
2008-2009: Plans for a major renovation, but high costs cancelled everything. It was predicted to cost $500 000 in 2008, but preliminary costs reached $900 000 the following year.
2009: Municipal pool closed
2011 and 2013: Two applications for grants were refused for building an indoor pool in collaboration with Chateauguay Valley Regional High School.
2015: A grant application for an outdoor pool and water park was refused by the ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport in August.
