Langford's $35 Million Aquatic Centre Dilemma: What Residents Need to Know!

The City of Langford is at a pivotal crossroads as it contemplates a substantial $35 million investment in acquiring the Westhills YW/YMCA Aquatic Centre, the sole swimming facility in the city. This decision is not merely about securing a building—it's about the future of recreational services in the community.

The aquatic centre, an expansive 60,000-square-foot complex, is currently owned by Westhills Development Corporation, which constructed the facility and manages its lease to the YW/YMCA. In addition to the swimming pool, the centre houses a library branch, the Victoria Conservatory of Music, and even a private orthodontics practice—making it a vital hub for the community.

Council members received an enticing proposal from Westhills, offering to sell the building along with 186 parking spaces. However, this offer is time-sensitive, expiring on December 17, with finalization set for April 1, 2025, should the council greenlight it.

Complicating matters, the YW/YMCA has faced significant financial losses—over $10 million since the centre opened in 2016. Matthew Douglas, a project leader with Colliers, revealed to the council that the YW/YMCA is struggling to meet lease obligations due to these deficits. The city has a contractual agreement, under a tripartite arrangement made before the facility's construction, which requires it to cover all lease-related costs if the YW/YMCA defaults. Last year, to prevent a shutdown of the aquatic centre, Langford had to raise its annual subsidy to $1.9 million.

This predicament highlights the inherent risks tied to outsourcing public recreational facilities to private developers. As Douglas accentuated, Westhills is not fundamentally a recreational landlord and thus, this transfer of risk has significant implications for both the YW/YMCA and the city itself.

A city acquisition could present a win-win scenario, ensuring the stability of the aquatic centre for residents while alleviating financial burdens in the long run. According to city estimates, purchasing the facility could save Langford approximately $10.2 million over the next 17 years, and an impressive $121 million over a 42-year period compared to maintaining the current leasing agreement.

Nevertheless, the acquisition would necessitate a modest property tax increase of 1.75% from 2025 to 2028, a figure already factored into the city's financial roadmap through 2027. Mayor Scott Goodmanson emphasized the long-term control this purchase would confer, preventing any abrupt decisions from Westhills that could jeopardize local recreational services. "The contract ends in 25 years, and Westhills is not obliged to extend it—they could redevelop at any time, leaving us in a bind," he warned.

The urgency of this decision is accentuated by current challenges facing recreational facilities in the Capital Regional District. Many pools are reaching capacity limits, making the preservation of existing services even more crucial. Recently, the University of Victoria's McKinnon Pool was drained, and the City of Victoria is voting on the future of Crystal Pool—potentially leading to further closures.

As the council prepares for discussions about this purchase at their meeting on December 2, they are urging residents to voice their opinions. An earlier opportunity for public input will be on November 18, with officials encouraging community involvement to steer the council's decision-making.

The acquisition of the aquatic centre could reshape Langford's recreational landscape for years to come—will residents rally behind this major investment, or will the city search for alternative solutions? The clock is ticking!