Feb 9 - Referendum results: Voters pick pool

Good morning !

We finally have a verdict. A process that has taken the better part of a decade has resulted in a mandate from the public for the City of Victoria to borrow money to build a new Crystal Pool. More on the referendum results below.

Plus: Where to catch the Super Bowl, and—for Insiders—a story on the past and future of fire-stricken Telegraph Cove.

— Cam

Today’s approx. read time: 4 minutes / 7 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌦️ 3 / -3

Tomorrow: ☀️ 1 / -3

Day after: ☀️ 2 / -3

NEWS

Crystal Pool referendum: Voters say yes to new pool

In a clear decision, 58.7% of voters decided last night to empower the city to borrow $160+ million to replace the 54-year-old facility on Quadra.

“I’m thrilled,” said Mayor Marianne Alto. “It’s nice to get a definitive answer.”

In an equally decisive—though not equally binding—referendum result, 60.6% of voting Victoria residents opted to have it built in the exact location where the declining structure sits.

That means the city will need to borrow an estimated $162.2M to build it.  

North option slower, but cheaper & has less construction

“My hope with everyone was that [the result] would be definitive,” Alto said. “The message is clear, the outcome is pretty solid.”

Though not binding, council is expected to proceed with the electorate’s site preference (barring some unforeseen circumstance). The Central Park North site plan would mean the existing pool is demolished, and within a 4-5-year timeline the new one will open in its place.  

Of 73,409 eligible voters, 15,547 cast ballots. That turnout of 21.18% is fairly typical—BC referendums usually draw about half as many voters as a civic general election.

Years—even decades—in the making

“I'm extremely happy with the outcome,” said Coun. Matt Dell, who 20 years ago was a lifeguard at Crystal Pool. He says the facility needed a rebuild back then.

 “It was a constant struggle to maintain that pool,” he said.

Background work on building a new pool began in 2016 and progressed to the stage of consulting the public on a proposal that at the time would have cost $69.4 million. But talks dragged and the project was broadsided by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, which kicked the idea to the curb.

Consider it no longer curbside. “People want this new pool,” said Dell.

They'll now get it. For more on what that will look like, when it will happen, and how we got here:

Read Mark Brennae’s full story at Capital Daily.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Flurries possible today.

Sun next week, but rain next weekend.

Lunar New Year Parade is today in Chinatown, 11:30am-4pm. Info on route, itinerary, and road closures here.

Today is the final day for Dine Around and Stay in Town local food festival. [Tasting Victoria]

Langford budget survey: Last day to respond online.

Strike has begun in Cowichan transit system; local bus routes & Victoria connectors cancelled. [CBC]

NEWS

Where to watch the Super Bowl today in Victoria

The much-anticipated Super Bowl rematch kicks off this Sunday with the Philadelphia Eagles facing off against last year’s champs, the Kansas City Chiefs. Victorians can enjoy the match—and rapper Kendrick Lamar’s half-time performance—at several pubs across the city. 

Check out our list of bars where you can watch the game, enjoy tasty food and beer, and win prizes. 

Read the details at Tasting Victoria on what's going on at:

• Bard & Banker

• Darcy's

• Stocky Wicket

• Irish Times

• James Bay Pub

• and more!

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