I find myself uncharacteristically confused and speechless regarding what is going on at the Vernon Rec Centre at the moment, particularly after finding out the cost was around one million dollars for an afterthought upgrade.
How long has this upgrade been going on?
Almost long enough to have built an entirely new pool facility, which is really what Vernon needs.
My whole family uses the facilities and programs at the Vernon Rec Centre.
I myself even used the Rec Centre as a child for many programs, including training as a Vernon Kokanee in the 80's.
Now as a mother of two, we find ourselves helplessly reliant on the failing building several times a week.
Recently we arrived the find the hot tub not working, the kids pool too cold, and the showers scalding.
It is an extremely busy facility almost all hours of the day, and the only saving grace is the front line staff.
It has come to a point where myself and many other parents I know are driving to Kelowna to use the H20 facility there so as to not have to battle crowds, struggle to find parking, put up with something broken, and various other ever changing deficiencies.
H20 has multiple hot tubs, a wave pool, a massive play area for kids, an olympic 50m pool, meeting and facility rooms, etc.
Even with the drive and the entrance fee tripling that of Vernon's Rec Centre, it is worth it.
Approving a 1 million dollar facade upgrade to a building that needs to be completely torn down feels like a broken hair dryer on a freezing cold day (which also happened to us there recently).
My main concern is for the staff and programs supporting the disabled in our community, as well as those even more reliant than I on the closeness and affordability of indoor health services locally.
The vast majority of users to the Rec Centre have no other options at the moment.
We can do better than that, can't we, Vernon?
Linda McGrew
Vernon