Catalyst committee points to tight federal funding deadline as complaints over quick consultation continue
CBC
As complaints over the quick pace of Regina's catalyst committee's consultations continue, officials have now said why they believe that speed is necessary.
According to Tim Reid, the co-chair of the committee, the rapid pace all comes down to a mid-March deadline to apply for funding from the federal government for the construction of a new aquatic facility in downtown Regina.
"I think it'll create some urgency at the end, but I think ultimately, hopefully, it makes a better decision for our city, not about just one amenity, but about how these amenities work together," said Reid, who is also the CEO of Regina Exhibition Association Limited.
The catalyst committee has been tasked by Regina city council with overseeing five major projects that could shape the city's downtown core.
They include a new aquatic facility, a replacement for the Brandt Centre, a possible baseball stadium, an outdoor soccer field and the modernization of the central library.
The committee draws its name from the belief that the projects would be catalysts for growth, development and private funding in Regina.
The committee's public consultations continued on Tuesday, with the focus shifting to the aquatic centre.
A feasibility study provided three options for council to consider when building the facility. The recommended version would include a 10-lane, 50-metre competition pool and a 10-lane, 50-metre dive pool.
That option, projected to cost approximately $172 million, would serve as a replacement for the aging Lawson Aquatic Centre, which does not have the necessary equipment to support competitive swimming and is overcapacity.
Officials confirmed Tuesday that the rapid creation of the catalyst committee and the relatively short consultation period is the result of the mid-March deadline to apply for funds from the federal Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP).
"This will be before council in early January 2023," said Coun. Bob Hawkins, co-chair of the catalyst committee. "The application will be in on time, but it's a hurried process because of these deadlines."
There's no guarantee that the city's request to use ICIP funding for the aquatic centre will be approved, but Reid and Hawkins said they strongly believe a decision could help fund the project.
The ICIP grant funding would only apply to replacing a facility and would cover $79.2 million, or 45 per cent, of the project's total cost, according to Tuesday's presentation to the public.
Applications for the grant would require the city to conduct environmental assessments, modelling and the selection of a site for the new facility by mid-March.
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