The future of the local water park proposal may have reached a pivotal point.
The South Cariboo Joint Committee (SCJC) meets June 22 to discuss funding a utility lift station for the proposal that could see the water park built as early as next spring.
At SCJC's meeting on May 4, it was resolved that Cariboo Regional District (CRD) and District of 100 Mile House staff tour the potential sites at Centennial Park and the South Cariboo Rec. Centre (SCRC) with the 100 Mile House Waterpark Society.
However, society president Jamie Hughes says when its members went and discussed the potential layout at the SCRC with staff, they discovered a significant stumbling block.
"It is just too costly. It would probably be double or triple the cost to do it at the arena than it would at the park.
"There is landscaping, there would actually have to be two lift stations instead of one because of the distance the water park would have to go farther away, due to the [100 Mile & District Outriders Club] leasing the spot that we wanted."
Now, the current joint committee members will decide where the project will go from here.
CRD chair Al Richmond, who co-chairs SCJC (with Mayor Mitch Campsall), says he has not seen the costs associated with the arena site.
"From what I understand, it would be more expensive. But it's coming back to the committee to make a decision."
While its decisions still go to the CRD board (and possibly District council) before approval, he notes with directors and councillors sitting on the joint committee, it does carry a lot of weight.
"I don't recall the board ever not going along with [SCJC recommendations]."
Richmond says if they decide to fund the lift station, it would likely be more appropriate to be taken out of the CRD's South Cariboo Recreation function, rather than through any grants.
"Since they operate the park, the District has said they will fund the operations of it."
However, this meeting is not looking at that level yet, but rather considering the costs at both sites, what might work to move forward on the project, and from where the funding should be taken, he notes.
"It could come from a mix of funds, too. I don't know yet. There are other considerations, too – for landscaping, for grass around it – there's more than just physical piping and pumps."
Hughes notes when she was asked by the staff what the biggest problem with the park location, she replied it is accessibility due to the gravel driveway and parking lot, but if that were paved, the society does have the means to build it.
"...we have already got people coming forward offering to help with the installation; we have enough money now. We have $65,000 in the bank, that's enough now to pay for the components for the spray park."
The society has scaled down the water park project because the initial design was "massive," she notes.
"My hopes are that the joint committee realizes the need for this water park in addition to [other] outdoor recreation for families."
If the local governments will pay for the lift station, Hughes says the society has also asked that they install it this fall so the project can be completed in the spring.
"When we actually see the lift station go up, that is step 1, and then we can take care of step 2, and then it's done."