Uxbridge to apply for grant for a new municipal pool

DAN CEARNS The Standard

UXBRIDGE: The Township of Uxbridge is going to be applying for funding for a new pool to replace the aging Uxpool.

At a meeting on Monday, December 9th, councillors voted in favour of directing Township staff to “apply for the Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF), stream two” and to have that application “focus on a Myrtha/Sprung structure which includes an 8 x 25-metre pool and a 10 x 15-metre therapy/teaching pool and a possible multi-sport space.”

The provincial grant is given to municipalities, Indigenous communities and organizations for projects to build new and transformative sport and recreation facilities. In a report from Amanda Ferraro, the Director of Community Services, councillors saw two options. Option one would be to maintain Uxpool and renovate it with the addition of a therapy pool. Option two was to “demolish the old building and build a Myrtha/Sprung structure with two tanks.”

“Staff recommend the Myrtha/Sprung structure. Option one involves spending $15 million on a structure and associated pool equipment which is near end-of-life and is not in the best financial interest of the Township. Additionally, Option two will score more favourably as a high-efficiency sustainable solution with [the] Ontario Infrastructure grant (CSRIF) application,” the report concluded.

Mayor Dave Barton agreed with the report’s conclusion on this project.

“I’m much more comfortable with a new build. I think it’s the right path forward,” he said.

Ward 4 Councillor Willie Popp called this grant application “a positive step forward” and noted the Township has been “at this for a while” on finding a solution to the aging nature of Uxpool.

If the Township succeeds with the grant, the project must be completed by March 2027.