Image: District of Kent / The Ferny Coombe Pool, first built in 1978, is pictured. The District of Kent reported on its website this week that it will contribute $6.4 million towards the proposed Lets'emot Regional Aquatic Centre, which carries an estimated project cost of $20 million.
By Mike Vanden Bosch
Agassiz regional aquatic centre

District of Kent says it will contribute $6.4 million towards new Lets’emot Regional Aquatic Centre

Jan 27, 2023 | 6:36 AM

AGASSIZ — The District of Kent says it will contribute $6.4 million towards the estimated $20 million cost of building the Lets’emot Regional Aquatic Centre.

According to minutes from its meeting on Monday, January 23, the District will pitch in $4.4 million from the city’s Community Works Fund and $2 million from its general capital reserve.

“In a continued effort to remain transparent and reinforce their commitment to the building of the Lets’emot Regional Aquatic Centre, Council has approved updating the large fundraising signs located outside the Community Recreation and Cultural Centre, at Pioneer Park, and the new Visitor Kiosk, to reflect the District’s contribution of $6.4 million,” the District wrote on its website.

The District of Kent has been eyeing a new regional aquatic centre for some time now, but the municipality still needs more funding based on the assumption that it receives a maximum federal grant of $10 million.

Join Our Daily Email

The municipality continues to seek additional funding opportunities from other levels of government as well as fundraising opportunities, it wrote on its website. A fundraising committee meets regularly to plan community events to help the District reach its community fundraising goal of $1 million.

Card Craze
Hundreds line up for Pokémon card release at Costco in Langley, Abbotsford
13h ago
10 Years of Toxic Drug Crisis
Study at Chilliwack hospital highlights role of peer support workers in drug crisis
15h ago
Police in B.C. after investigating fatal collision between motorcyclist, semitruck
15h ago

“Mayor (Sylvia) Pranger expressed her gratitude to the various government agencies that have already granted funds and mentioned that more grant applications are underway,” the district said online.

The town’s beloved Ferny Coombe Outdoor Pool, located at 6820 Pioneer Avenue, was built in 1978 and has remained a vital community asset in the District of Kent. It is also home to the Agassiz-Harrison Aquanauts competitive swim club.

Over the years, the pool has taught thousands of children swimming skills and sportsmanship through the Learn to Swim program offered through the District of Kent. It serves as the nearest pool for residents of Agassiz, nearby First Nations communities, the Village of Harrison Hot Springs, and even residents of Popkum and Rosedale, due to its relative proximity.

However, the Ferny Coombe Pool has outlived its initial life expectancy, according to the District of Kent website.

“We anticipate that any significant structural or mechanical failure will be beyond repair,” the District of Kent wrote on its website. “Without a swimming pool in Agassiz, it would certainly affect all of our communities.”

The new aquatic centre would be a 27,000-square foot facility, connected to the Community Recreation & Cultural Centre, and feature such indoor amenities as an eight-lane lap pool, leisure pool, whirlpool, steam and sauna, spectator viewing area, activity space, community room, lifeguard station, and universal and gender-specific change rooms,

by Mike Vanden Bosch

More Local News

Card Craze
Hundreds line up for Pokémon card release at Costco in Langley, Abbotsford
13h ago
10 Years of Toxic Drug Crisis
Study at Chilliwack hospital highlights role of peer support workers in drug crisis
15h ago
Police in B.C. after investigating fatal collision between motorcyclist, semitruck
15h ago
Young Professional
Abbotsford resident featured in BC Business 30 under 30 for work in irrigation industry
16h ago
Weekly Round-Up
RCMP issues warning after fentanyl packages seized in Mission
16h ago