Breaking news — The District of Port Hardy’s multiplex project has received $6,000,000 from the Federal Gas Tax Fund.
“The Port Hardy multiplex project will promote growth and sustainability for the North Island. We want you to come here, live here and stay here,” said Port Hardy Mayor Hank Bood via press release.
The multiplex project has been a goal of the district since 2015, and “This funding will help build a facility to support a healthy, active North Island,” said Chief Administrative Officer Allison McCarrick.
According to the press release, “Residents of the North Island are going to receive an amazing Aquatic Centre which will have a 25-meter pool containing lap lanes that share the body of water with a slide, lazy river, zero beach entry and a leisure/programmable area, as well as a sauna and large hot tub with accessible entry.”
“We are pleased to be able to share this project with the North Island and look forward to many years of splashing and leisure enjoyment at the Port Hardy Multiplex,” added McCarrick.
With the $6,000,000 from the Gas Tax Fund, $50,000 from the Regional District of Mount Waddington, and a $250,000 donation from Marine Harvest, the District of Port Hardy is ready to start construction, but first they will need council to approve the logistics of the project.
“We have to have that discussion before we can proceed with building,” said Coun. Fred Robertson, who is currently the Deputy Mayor while Bood is away on vacation. “We have some decisions to make, because the price tag has gone up a bit since we started this, and we need to have up-to-date designs and adjustments made.”
Robertson added Marine Harvest could potentially be donating another $250,000 over 10 years to the project, and there are still decisions to be made regarding what to do with the old pool and Kyle Scow Memorial Skatepark. “That’s part of the decision process, they’re going to cost money whatever we decide to do, and we will need to have that discussion.”