With the Natatorium having sat unused for 25 years, one resident is offering several suggestions to preserve the heritage building so it continues to bring life to Crescent Park.
Michel Labonte spoke to city council during its Feb. 24 regular meeting and offered five recommendations to safeguard the structure and establish it for future uses.
His first recommendation had been to learn how much it would cost to demolish the Nat’s concrete pool, including the old floor around the pool, and have the debris removed and foundation solidified. However, he changed his mind about this idea after seeing a picture of the pool.
Instead, he suggested that an appraisal be done to learn how much it would cost to install a new floor over the old pool and build an adequate entrance at the back with proper balcony and wheelchair access. Or, a wheelchair access could be constructed at the front by the northeast door.
Furthermore, a sprinkler and ventilation system could be installed where the old pool was, with both systems coming from the former YMCA next door. This would allow the public to use the building regularly and make it a new gathering place, including for youths.
Labonte’s third recommendation was for council to request grant funding from the federal and provincial governments so they could “help protect this important historic heritage site that our pioneers built for the community.” This refurbished building would add long-term value to the downtown and to the community.
“There is not much left on the east side of historic buildings,” he continued, noting such buildings as schools and the hospital have all been demolished.
The fourth recommendation was to propose a question to voters during the November municipal election in a non-binding referendum about whether taxpayers would support an investment of municipal money to help the Natatorium. Labonte thought a special levy instituted for a few years could help bring “this ghost back to life” so future generations could appreciate the building.
Labonte’s fifth recommendation was to postpone the demolition of the YMCA building for a few years. Instead, he thought parts of that building could be used to complement the future use of the Nat. He pointed out there is already a tunnel that connects the main floor of the Nat to the second floor of the Y.
If the YMCA building is demolished, Labonte wanted to see the building’s bricks recycled similar to the ones at the Natatorium.
“The main question in my mind, irrelevant of what’s happening with the outside pool and irrelevant of what happens with the Y, is do we want the Natatorium to be part of our future or not?” he remarked. Otherwise, he added, the structure will be torn down and council can add another picture of a former building to the walls in city hall.
In a report to city council, city administration said it would cost $6.5 million to renovate the Natatorium, with an additional $4 million needed to build separate change rooms, staff rooms and mechanical rooms for the outdoor pool. Meanwhile, there is $295,000 in the budget this year to tear down the YMCA building.
“In a community that espouses heritage, it’s kind of a telling sign that the Natatorium sits there year after year after year,” said Coun. Brain Swanson, who pointed out the Natatorium had a new roof installed 25 years ago after the Kinsmen Sportsplex pool was built. This means its shingles will need to be replaced soon.
The Natatorium is not on council’s capital budget list for renovations, Swanson added. He thought it was good for council to be reminded that the building has sat there for 25 years with no plans in place to fix it.
Council then voted to receive and file Labonte’s presentation.
