Okotoks delays recreation centre engagement due to October referendum

The Town of Okotoks has postponed community engagement on a recreation centre or pool expansion, citing October's province-wide referendum as a distraction from meaningful local consultation.

Council voted July 17, to delay the engagement process, which had been tentatively scheduled to begin in mid-September with results shared by late October. Mayor Tanya Thorn said the timing conflict was untenable. "I'm concerned about going to the community for consultation in September, just with the referendum and everything else that's going to be happening," she said. "I think delaying this to a period that allows us to really focus and really have our community's attention, it will be far more productive for all of us."

Alberta voters will be asked in October to vote on nine referendum questions about constitutional issues and immigration, plus one question about whether the Government of Alberta should start the process to hold a binding referendum on Alberta separating from Canada.

The Town has been developing preliminary plans for the expansion and had hoped to gather public input on what amenities to include. Going public in fall would have meant engagement results were ready for November's budget talks, but council heard that a placeholder amount can be allocated so final design proceeds once public participation is complete. No detailed design will take place until engagement is done and council approves the plans.

Councillor Stefan Dykema supported the delay, saying it gives the town a better chance to get meaningful feedback. "Delaying gives us that opportunity to make sure that we get it right," he said.

Design concepts and the engagement strategy will be presented at a later date, with dates and a plan for public engagement to be determined by council. Indoor recreation space or another pool were among the top amenities identified in a community priorities survey last year. The Town estimates a new recreation pool and new lane swimming pool could cost about $60 million, funded through municipal reserves, grants, or other sources.