White Rock council defers public pool project due to costs

The White Rock City Council has unanimously decided to defer the consideration of a new public swimming pool as a strategic priority until the next council term. This decision follows a feasibility study by Cornerstone Planning Group, which estimated construction and maintenance costs between $10 million and $24.2 million.

Mayor Megan Knight and Council members noted that the significant financial commitment poses a challenge for the small city. Even with potential government subsidies of $10 million to $15 million, the city could still face a deficit of $1 million to $6 million.

The urgency for a local facility has increased because the City of Surrey implemented a priority registration system for its own residents on January 1, 2025. This policy forces White Rock residents to wait up to three weeks to register for recreational programs, which officials say restricts access to essential water safety training for approximately 1,800 local children.