Town of Paradise is exploring the possibility of building a swimming pool of its own

For years, residents of a fast-growing town on Newfoundland's Avalon Peninsula have been asking for a swimming pool, and the mayor now says the town is exploring it — but warns it will be pricey.

The Town of Paradise has launched a new study for a potential community pool, and is looking to get feedback from residents.

"The biggest thing that people talk about is … when are we going to have a swimming pool? So the town needs to, you know, have some good data before we make that decision," Mayor Dan Bobbett told CBC.

The feasibility study was part of the town's recent budget, he added, and they hired engineering services company Stantec for $65,000 to carry out the study, which also includes community engagement, site analysis and operating costs.

"It's very comprehensive and we want to hear from the public," said Bobbett.

He said it also includes online surveys, which has gotten more than 1,300 responses so far, and in-person meetings with residents, including one scheduled for Aug. 23 at the Sunsplash Cultural Festival.

The town's population is ballooning by about 28 per cent every year. Bobbett said Paradise is not only growing fast — its demographic also skews young.

"Our sporting groups are busting at the seams," he said. "As a growing town we have made considerable investments … to ensure that we have the right mix of program services and facilities."

The town has bought swimming lessons from other facilities in other nearby communities to ensure Paradise residents have access to swimming lessons, said Bobbett.

But he said council wants to get as much data from residents as possible before committing to building a pool, because it could possibly require a tax increase to construct and operate it.

"We don't take it lightly because it's a major investment, probably [upwards] of $30 million," said Bobbett.

Community engagement will also tell them what other amenities they want with the pool, like lane swims, he said.

"It's a major project going forward."

He said results from the study will be made public in the fall.

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