Regina's proposed aquatic centre $80 million over budget, city says
CTV
The City of Regina announced plans for a new geothermally heated pool complex meant to replace the current Lawson Aquatic Centre.
The City of Regina announced plans for a new geothermally heated pool complex meant to replace the current Lawson Aquatic Centre.
Those plans however, hit a snag as the project is currently estimated to be over budget by more than $80 million.
“The property tax is going to be hiked so much to pay for this type of thing and it’s something to think about because this debt isn’t free and the cost will ultimately come down to taxpayers,” Gage Haubrick, Prairie Director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation told CTV News.
The project was approved for $160 million. However, council will have to decide if the budget can be bumped up to $245 million.
This would involve raising the city’s debt limit by $230 million.
“However long the city decides they want to pay it back, usually longer-term, means every single year part of your property taxes is not going to be paying for services,” Haubrich added.
“It’s going to be paying for this debt that the city took out this year.”
