Iqaluit city council approves $30M pool design

Iqaluit City Council approved the final design plans for anew aquatic centre last night.

A presentation by Stantec, the firm hired to produce the plans, included everything from tiles and colour schemes to the design of the roof to minimize snow buildup.

Stantec's Josh Armstrong said one of the biggest decisions was to gowith rock-socketed piles.

That means we're not going to depend on the permafrost to hold this building that's got a pool in it up, Armstrong said. We're going to depend on the rock below the permafrost.

The presentation to city councillors also highlighted the building's accessibility. It includes different tactile surfaces for the visually impairedand special walls to allow people with mobility problems to lower themselves into a pool.

The city says about $2 million has already been spent on consultants and the design phase.

Construction is expected to cost just over $30 million, with almost $2 million for contingencies.

Councillor Kenny Bell has his doubts.

The fact of the matter is we can't afford it, Bell said. We won't be able to afford it for a very long time. It's way too expensive.

Now that the design plans are approved, it's expected the project will beout for tender in the new year, and piles could be going into the ground in April.