Over 60 people attended the final meeting in the second phase of looking into a new aquatic facility for Saugeen Shores.
The current Centennial Pool in Port Elgin is nearing the end of its life-span and is in need of numerous mechanical and structural improvements.
Staff presented aquatic facilities in other communities, including Hanover and Goderich.
They also explained how current trends are towards multi-use pools that offer opportunities for competitive swimming, leisure, and therapy.
Where to locate a new pool was a major part of the discussion.
Options include near the existing pool, adding onto the Plex, vacant land at the south end of Port Elgin, or land on the 10th Concession between Port Elgin and Southampton.
Local business owner Shirley Underwood says when it comes to location, the town should be thinking further into the future, instead of what people want over the next five years.
Underwood says Port Elgin and Southampton are always growing closer together and a new aquatic facility should be located where it has room to expand.
Councillor Diane Huber wants to be sure the public understands council hasn’t given any approval yet to build a new pool complex.
She says it needs to be clear that no decision has been made and is concerned there is a perception that the project is already going ahead before it’s been approved.
Recreation and Culture Manager Jayne Jagelewski says the next step is to ask council to budget money for phase three in 2009.
She says phase three will include conceptual drawings of a proposed aquatic centre and a business plan for how it will operate.
