Canada Games Aquatic Centre in Saint John faces funding crisis

The 33-year-old Canada Games Aquatic Centre in Saint John, N.B. may be on its last legs.

Surrounding municipalities have funded the facility for decades, but as revenue shrinks and deficits grow, its future is in jeopardy.

The centre was built in 1985 as the city played host to the Canada Summer Games. Over the years, the facility has run a deficit and required millions in capital investment.

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Interim CEO Stephen Smith presented stark projections to common council this week, including a potential $1.1-million deficit in the facility’s operating budget for the end of the year.

The City of Saint John funds the majority of the budget along with contributions from surrounding municipalities. Other revenue streams include memberships and event hosting.

Deputy Mayor Shirley McAlary says it may be time to make tough decisions.

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“Can we afford to keep going?” she asks. “Is it ever going to be able to come down to a lower deficit? Over $1 million to me is a large figure, and I’m not sure whether we can keep that going.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Can we afford to keep going?" she asks. "Is it ever going to be able to come down to a lower deficit? Over $1 million to me is a large figure, and I'm not sure whether we can keep that going."

McAlary says it comes down to bang for the taxpayers’ buck.

“So when you look at the services that the city has to provide, like water and sewerage and roads, snowplowing and all those services, they benefit everyone,” he said.

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But the CEO believes the deficits can be brought down through increased revenue.

“I don’t think we’ve been aggressively pursuing memberships the way we can, and that is a significant revenue source for us,” Smith noted. “The idea of working with some of the foundations and other community partners to try and find some solutions are there.”

The aquatic centre has the only 50-metre pool in the province. Director of Aquatics and Programming Jamie Tolan says it’s an important asset.

“We work really closely with the competitive team here in the city, and they just sent four swimmers off to junior nationals,” Tolan says.

“We would like to partner with them and bring more swimmers to their competitive team through our learn-to-swim programs and have kids develop that love for swimming.”

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Meanwhile, McAlary says the Regional Facilities Commission will meet in September to discuss future funding for the aquatic centre.