Renovations to Welland’s busiest outdoor pool delayed over money problems

Plans to renovate one of Welland’s most popular public pools have hit a snag.

The city hoped for federal grant funds to revitalize Memorial Park Pool but those funds aren’t coming through just yet.

Memorial Park pool was built in the late 1950s. After over 60 years of operation, it is still Welland’s busiest outdoor public pool. It attracted more than 14,500 visits during the 2019 season.

The city had hoped to get a Green and Inclusive Community Building grant federal government, and started a competitive bid process for the Memorial Park pool project.

But all tender bids came in over budget so the city couldn’t secure the federal grant — which could have funded 60 per cent of the project.

“All staff were excited and hopeful that the city would be awarded this grant,” said Rob Axiak, director of community services.

Axiak is optimistic the city can still get funding for the project but in the meantime, council approved delaying the work.

“Staff will look to maintain the current pool to stay open for the public until we can secure the necessary funding for the revitalization,” Axiak said.

Welland staff feel Memorial Park Pool can operate for an additional season (2023) if required, with minimal renewal requirements.

The project was to start 2021 but the city waited to try for the grant which could have covered $3.8 million of the original budget of $6.4 million.

City staff expect the project costs will increase 10 per cent by next year. So council approved increasing the project budget from $6.4 million to $7.75 million.

The escalation of costs has been difficult to predict in the current financial climate, the city noted.