Several among you have had questions concerning the swimming pool
project: will it happen? How much will it cost? When will construction
start? What will it include? Where will it be located? In light of all
these questions, I thought a project update would be à propos and why
not take the opportunity, at the same time, to rectify some information
published in the newspaper that might have given rise to some confusion.
First, let’s recall that 78% of Saint-Lazare’s community responded
favourably to the construction of an indoor pool in a 2010 Leger
Marketing poll entitled Étude de perception des citoyens à l’égard des
services de loisirs commissioned by the Town.
Council heard you and gave the mandate to the members of the Town’s
special projects team so they could work on a concept that would cater
to all ages, while taking into account the best possible services at the
best possible price. Today, the projects team is proposing an aquatic
complex with a 375 m² indoor pool, including 6 – 25 m² swimming lanes,
and a 175 m² recreational basin.
To summarize steps undertaken so far:
In July of 2010, 78% of residents polled by the Léger Marketing firm are
in favour of an indoor pool in Saint-Lazare.
In April of 2011, Council mandates the projects team to proceed to the
technical feasibility/concept study of an aquatic complex in the sector
of la Montée Saint-Lazare.
In June of 2011, the technical feasibility/concept study is completed
and presented to the Town by the architect and special projects team.
This contemporary aquatic complex will include a large façade which will
be facing the South. The complex will be integrated between the
Community Centre and the Montée Saint-Lazare just south of the existing
sports complex. Preliminary costs indicate that this imposing project
will vary between 12M $ and 14M $ depending on options selected and the
characteristics of the soil where i twill be built.
In August of 2011, the Town of Saint-Lazare applies for a Quebec
government grant with all required documents. Admissibility criteria
include having completed construction on March 31, 2015 at the latest.
Financial support can cover as far as 50 % of the maximal admissible
cost. The Town is expecting a response from the Québec government before
the end of 2012.
Next steps include Council presenting the details of the project to
residents either in the form of a public consultation or through
committees. Council considers essential the government’s contribution
for the realisation of this project. In this context, we invite
Saint-Lazare residents to reiterate their interest in this project by
sending an email to piscine@diffusion.ville.saint-lazare.qc.ca.
Conditional to receiving this grant, the Town plans on proceeding to a
borrowing By-Law. Residents will have a chance to voice their opinion by
means of a registry. In the best case scenario, The Town could
inaugurate the aquatic complex at the end of 2013.
I invite you to discover the proposed aquatic complex in a virtual tour
made by the architect firm.
Saint-Lazare continues to evolve and aims at becoming one of the most
dynamic towns with a large variety of high quality of services to its
residents. This aquatic complex will profit residents of all ages for
years to come, a community and family gathering place.
