For the past six years, I have been advocating for replacing Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre. I have spoken to literally thousands of people and heard stories of parents, children, seniors, people who are low-income, and people who love the sense of community that the space provides.

Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre is a gathering place for our community. It is where seniors come together for aqua-size each morning. It is where people with disabilities create friendships and learn skills for healthy living. It is where our most vulnerable citizens can come to enjoy recreation.

With the pool closed for the past months, there is simply no place for all of these people to go. The current facility operates 22% over capacity B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·“ even when every other facility in the CRD is open.

This past summer, more than 800 local children took part in programs at the facility. Without Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre, these children would not have this opportunity.

Affordability goes beyond housing: it also extends to affordable access to recreation for everyone. Multiple studies have shown that access to recreation reduces obesity levels, protects against mental illness, decreases depression and anxiety, and contributes to healthier communities. These benefits should be extended to the most vulnerable in our community.

Being fiscally responsible means investing in quality infrastructure, not delaying the inevitable.

For every month this project is delayed: The cost of the project increases by $400,000. The cost of band-aiding the current facility to keep the doors open is $108,000. The cost of subsidizing the current facility is $17,000 more than it would to subsidize the new facility.

I want to highlight that delaying this project by five years has doubled the cost to taxpayers.

The 2015 Stantec Report highlighted that the current facility was at high risk of system failure B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·“ 10 years ago. We are watching it fail right now B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·“ and we need to act.

While there is no question that the pool should have been built five years ago, the second best time is today. It will never be cheaper or less complicated than it is right now. A delay five years ago has been a costly mistake, one we can't afford to make again.

On Feb. 8, I will be voting Yes to building a replacement pool. I urge you to do the same.

Karmen McNamara

Victoria