The provincial government is providing the City of Thompson with up to $75,000 for a design and engineering report for a replacement for the Norplex Pool.
The money comes from Manitoba’s Building Sustainable Communities Program, which funds planning activities, capacity building, community and regional initiatives, and capital infrastructure projects.
In May, the city issued a request for proposals for prime consultant services for the design and construction of an aquatic facility to replace the Norplex Pool, which was shut down permanently for safety reasons in February 2019. The deadline for submissions is June 26 and the budget for the design is close to $1 million.
Coun. Jeff Fountain asked why the letter informing the city of the funding was for “up to” $75,000, rather than a specific amount. City manager Anthony McInnis was not present at the meeting to provide an answer but under the terms of the Building Sustainable Communities Program, $75,000 is the maximum grant amount.
Coun. Kathy Valentino said she hoped the province’s willingness to help pay for the design of a new pool was a sign of things to come.
“Hopefully this is a good indication from the province that there’s more to come for an aquatic facility,” she said.
