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Pemberton residents want to make a splash with new pool

Preliminary findings of recreation questionnaire
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The residents of Pemberton want to take a dip in the deep end, with leisure swimming being by far the most popular recreational activity they would like to see come to the community.

Pemberton Council received the interim summary of their Recreation Facilities Questionnaire at its Committee of the Whole meeting on June 4, the day the questionnaire closed online. Around 300 respondents took part.

The purpose of the questionnaire was to develop a strategy and priorities for building recreational facilities in the future.

In terms of indoor facilities, a pool would be the most utilized, followed by skating.

Outside, a pool, soccer, skating, swimming lessons, spa facilities and a wading pool would be popular.

Sixty per cent of respondents favoured the following statements about recreational facilities: They would provide more recreational activities and opportunities, reduce the amount of driving to Whistler or other facilities outside the region, and keep families in the community.

And 10.3 per cent said they did not want new recreation facilities.

In terms of costs, 20 per cent did not want an increase in property taxes to pay for it, 37 per cent of respondents said they would support increasing their residential property tax by less than $150 per year, 31 per cent said they would support an increase of between $150 and $300, 7.4 per cent said they would support an increase of between $301 and $500, and 14 per cent said they would like recreational facilities regardless of the cost. Eight per cent said they did not pay property taxes, and 11 per cent supported a one-time payment. The form of questioning meant respondents could choose more than one answer.

Cost sharing with Squamish-Regional District Area C and the Lil'wat Nation was the most popular option, at 76 per cent. Sharing with private interests like a private school or land developer came second, at 60 per cent.

The complete findings of the questionnaire will be added to the Recreation Facilities Implementation Plan, expected to be in submitted in final draft form later in June.

Signal Hill playground gets $10,000

At its June 4 council meeting, Pemberton council approved the allocation of $5,000 from the village's Community Enhancement Fund to partly cover the cost of a new playground structure at Signal Hill Elementary School.

A further $5,000 will be given to the project next year.

They have also issued a challenge to the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, Sea to Sky School District No. 48, and the Lil'wat and N'Quatqua nations to help fund the $60,000 project.

The school has already raised $20,000 from the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation and $10,000 from the Fairmont Foundation. Students and parents have also raised funds in a bake sale, and by selling poinsettias, oranges and hot lunches.