Victoria residents vote ‘yes’ to building new Crystal Pool

An artistic rendering of the new Crystal Pool by hcma Architecture and Design from the City of Victoria's website.

Victoria residents have spoken. Preliminary results are in from the Crystal Pool Referendum, with a sizeable majority voting “yes” to replacing the aging facility.

Voters faced two questions: the first was whether the City of Victoria should borrow up to $168.9 million that must be paid off in under 20 years to build a new pool and fitness centre.

In a Saturday night statement, the city said 58.71 per cent, or 9,115 people, voted yes, a decision that is binding.

The votes were tabulated from all 10 voting locations, mail-in ballots, advance voting and “special voting opportunities.” Turnout was 21.18 per cent of registered voters, or 15,547.

“City staff will prepare a report to council for direction on next steps,” the city statement reads.

Voters were also asked whether they preferred the pool be built where the old one stands in Central Park or move the facility south, both options for the site having different budgets and timelines.

A larger majority, 60.57 per cent, voted for “Central Park North” as their preferred location.

The site vote was not binding, but if the northern Central Park option goes ahead, it is projected to cost $209.2 million, with $47 million coming from the city’s reserves.

It estimates property taxes will rise 7.24 per cent by the time the pool opens, costing the average homeowner an extra $232 per year and typical business $596 for 20 years.

The city says it is looking for more funding from other levels of government, though none is confirmed.

The current Crystal Pool—the only public aquatic facility in Victoria—is more than 50 years old and city staff say it’s at risk of breaking down at any moment.

“On any given day we could have a major failure of the system that’s going to require a closure of the facility until we make those repairs to the building,” Victoria parks, recreation and facilities director Derrick Newman told CTV News last month.

According to the city, the pool sees about 1,250 visitors daily and expects that to increase. CTV News checked with every public pool in the wider Capital Regional District – and heard replies indicating demand is high, especially with learn-to-swim programs.

Those who oppose the replacement have argued Victoria should build a smaller, cheaper pool if it has to pay for the major infrastructure project all by itself, and expressed concern about budget overruns.

Now that Victorians have given the city the green light, the new Crystal Pool is anticipated to open in about five years.

It’s slated to include a 50-metre pool with a moveable bulkhead, a leisure pool with play features and a lazy river, two hot tubs, a sauna and a steam room. A large fitness studio and rooms for various programs will also be part of the facility.

With files from CTV News Vancouver Island’s Yvonne Raymond