A survey of residents within the Central Cariboo recreation boundary shows a high level of awareness of the proposed project to renovate the Sam Ketcham Pool, and a high level of support in principle, says joint press release from the City of Williams Lake and Cariboo Regional District.
The survey of 400 residents in the City of Williams Lake and portions of the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) Electoral Areas D, E, F found that 75 per cent of people indicated they were familiar with the proposed project to renovate the pool, including the replacement of the main pool tank and the addition of a three-lane leisure pool featuring a lazy river and waterslide. Sixty-four per cent of respondents said they support major renovations to the pool.
The statistically valid survey, conducted by Discovery Research in late January , also found:
• 37 per cent of people were aware of the referendum on Nov. 15 to authorize the Cariboo Regional District to borrow up to $10 million for the $11.3 million project.
• 73 per cent of respondents said they do not currently feel they had adequate information about the proposed renovations to make a decision.
• 47 per cent of respondents indicated they needed more information on renovation details, 45 per cent said they need more information on costs, and 31 per cent said they required additional information. Thirty percent indicated they wanted more information on the project’s effects on taxes.
• 55 per cent of respondents indicated they will definitely vote in the referendum, with 28 per cent indicating they are somewhat likely to vote, 11 percent somewhat unlikely to vote, 3 per cent definitely not voting, and 3 per cent unsure.
Fifty-eight percent of respondents live in the City of Williams Lake, and 42 percent in the Regional District. Thirty-four percent of respondents were in the 19-39 age group, 46 percent were in the 40-65 age group, and 20 percent were in the 66+ age group. Respondents were represented equally by gender.
A survey summary is available at the following websites:
• Cariboo Regional District — cariboord.bc.ca
• City of Williams Lake — williamslake.ca
• Cariboo Memorial Complex — activewilliamslake.com.
“We are very encouraged by the high level of awareness in the pool project and the planned participation in the referendum,” says Coun. Laurie Walters. “This is a very important project for our region, and we encourage everyone to learn about the pool renovations and make sure their voice is heard on Nov. 15 in the referendum.”
“Clearly there is more work to be done in making sure we have all of the information available for the public,” says CRD Electoral Area F director Joan Sorley. “We have some great resources in place now, and there will be more opportunities for residents to obtain the information they require to help them make an informed decision on Nov. 15.”
A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document about the proposed Sam Ketcham Pool renovation and upgrade is available through the CRD, the City of Williams Lake and the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex. Hard copies of the FAQ are available at these offices and are available on the aforementioned websites.
Information posters featuring the recommended design concept for the pool, a cost breakdown, and other details are located at the Williams Lake City Hall, the CRD offices, the Williams Lake library, and the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex.
A Facebook page dedicated to helping provide information to residents and an opportunity for residents to ask questions can be found at facebook.com/SamKetchamPool.
A Twitter feed can also be found at @SKPReferendum. Leading up to the referendum, information will be distributed through various other media channels.